Electricity is essential to modern life; without it, daily routines and communications are disrupted. The loss of power may interfere with schedules and businesses and even pose a security threat. Eversource Energy helps ensure reliable power across its service areas. However, various incidents can cause unexpected blackouts.
This guide encompasses the major causes of Eversource Outage and the regions that are served by the company. It also explains how to use the Eversource Outage Map to track and report outages and prepare well in times of power failures.
What Is Eversource Energy, and What Areas Does It Serve?
Eversource Energy is a Fortune 500 company and an energy provider based in Hartford, CT, and Boston, MA. It serves around 4 million electric, natural gas, and water customers across Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire.
Eversource operates an extensive infrastructure, which includes the power lines, substations, and gas pipeline, and utilizes energy sources such as natural gas, solar, biomass, and oil. It is also helping in sustainability by having renewable energy projects and energy efficiency programs. The regions covered by Eversource in the 3 states include the following:
Connecticut
Delivers electricity to 149 towns spreading over 4,400 square miles and the major cities of Hartford, Stamford, Norwalk, Danbury, Bristol, Bethel, and Cheshire. It also serves natural gas to 73 towns in Connecticut.
Massachusetts
Provides electric service to 140 towns spread over 3,192 square miles and major cities like Boston, Cambridge, Worcester, Lowell, Brockton, and Somerville. It also serves natural gas to 51 towns.
New Hampshire
Provides electric service to 211 towns spread over 5,628 square miles (over 70% of the state). It also includes areas from Berlin to Nashua, serving both cities and rural towns.
Understanding an Eversource Outage
Numerous factors can cause an Eversource outage. But the time it takes to restore power can vary based on several variables as well, so there’s no set duration. Here are the reasons that can cause a blackout, and afterward, we’ll share the average response time of Eversource when an electrical breakdown happens:
1. Severe Weather: Storms with high winds, heavy rain, snow, ice, and flooding can damage power lines and equipment. The other big source of blackouts is hurricanes and tropical storms.
2. Falling Trees: Trees or branches striking power lines at particular times, especially during storms, are usually claimed to cause outages.
3. Animals: Squirrels and birds may come in contact with any electric equipment or may build nests near power lines. Moreover, raccoons can invade the substations, which also causes an outage.
4. Equipment Issues: Malfunctioning transformers, substations, or other components of the system can disrupt the power supply.
5. Maintenance Work: Periodic repairs or improvements on the power grid may cause temporary blackouts.
Eversource Outage Response Time
Eversource’s restoration time depends on factors like weather, road conditions, the extent of damage, and crew availability. Safety is prioritized, which may delay the repair process. The company uses Emergency Response Plan (ERP) levels to rate the severity of outages and plan response times. Here’s how:
- Level 5 (0–9% customers out): Power restored in 1–3 days
- Level 4 (10–29% customers out): 2–6 days.
- Level 3 (30–49% customers out): 5–10 days.
- Level 2 (50–69% customers out): 8–21 days.
- Level 1 (70–100% customers out): Over 18 days.
Though actual response times may vary based on damage and conditions. For example, in Boston, in May 2025, 90% of customers regained power within 50 minutes after a substation issue. In Connecticut recently, 800 customers lost power when a tree fell over utility lines.
Received a request for assistance from Watertown police, Eversource shut down electricity for 1600 customers temporarily to make sure crews could manage the situation safely, and for most it was restored within 10 minutes, while for the rest restoration took a few hours. But on average, the company has a 96-hour timeframe for Connecticut. However, restoration time starts once it’s safe to assess damage, not when the outage begins.
How to Use the Eversource Outage Map?
Eversource Outage Map is an interactive tool that the company offers to track, report outages, and check the approximate restoration time. Here’s how to use it:
Step 1: Access the Map
Visit eversource.com and navigate to ‘Outage Map’ under the ‘Outages & Storms’ menu. Bookmark the page so that you can access it quickly after a power cut.
The Eversource mobile app is also available for iOS and Android. Once logged into your account with Eversource, you can view the outage map below from the menu to receive real-time alerts.
Step 2: Understand the Colored Codes and Legends
The map shows icons for single outages or grouped outage areas across Eversource’s service areas. It combines nearby outages into clusters to keep it clear when zoomed out. The colored icons display the outages by location, while color shading shows the number of customers affected in an area.
The legend on the Eversource Outage Map helps you understand the map’s symbols and color codes. On the website, it’s usually shown just below the map header. Here’s what each color indicates and other symbols the legend may show:
- Red for active unplanned outages.
- Blue for planned maintenance.
- Green for recently restored power.
- Other symbols in the legend may show Eversource’s service area and its boundaries.
Step 3: Search Outage By Area
Search the Eversource Outage Map using your street address or ZIP code to determine whether your area is impacted. To view the percentages of outages in each town, you should select the menu item “Map Tools.” Then, choose “View by Town.”
Step 4: View the Outage Map
Tap on outage icons or clusters to see the info panel. When you are looking at the map area-wise, just tap on an area to show the details. It is indicated on the panel how many outages and affected customers there are. You also get to see the starting outage time, the estimated time of electricity restoration, and the cause (such as tree damage, planned work).
Zoom in and out by clicking the +/- buttons on the map, and move the map with a click and drag operation. Employ the arrow keys for navigation. On the mobile app, it is possible to zoom in and zoom out the map by pinching the screen. Moreover, the background of the map may be changed between the Road, Satellite, or Hybrid modes. There is also a weather radar level that can be toggled to be turned off or set with the option of altering its brightness.
Step 5: Check Estimated Restoration Times (ETRs)
ETRs give the earliest expected time for power to be restored. You’ll see a time once crews assess the damage. When it indicates “Assessing” or “Pending,” this means that the cause is not yet known, and “Under Investigation” further means that the problem is more complicated. ETRs can be delayed in case of bad weather, so update them every 2-3 hours.
Step 5: Map Update Intervals
The map is updated with 10-30 minute intervals depending on the outage activity. In the case of storms or high internet traffic, updates can take longer. Some individual outages might take even over 30 minutes to show. So, for the latest info, refresh your browser or turn on notifications.
How to Report and Track an Outage Online or by Phone?
In case you found your outage not reflected in the map, you may report it to Eversource either via their site or mobile application. Besides this, you could equally call up their hotline numbers or simply text them to report a power cut in your vicinity. Here’s how:
1. Through the Eversource Website: Head to the homepage and click “Report an Outage.” Enter your account number, phone number, or address, then follow the steps to submit your report. You will receive a confirmation number and be able to trace the outage on the map.
2. Through the Eversource App: Open the app and sign in. Simply tap where it says “View & Report Outage” in the menu. Then, confirm your location or provide more details and send. In addition to this, you can set up outage alerts within the app, where you will receive updates as to power outages within your vicinity in real-time.
3. Ring Up Eversource Hotline: Contact the Eversource 24/7 hotline in your area to report a power outage or to get updates on the same:
- Massachusetts: 800-592-2000
- Connecticut: 800-286-2000
- New Hampshire: 800-662-7764
4. By Text: Write “OUT” to report an outage or “STAT” for updates (standard rates apply) on 23129. To sign up and get an electricity breakdown alert through text, write the word REG to 23129. Eversource provides frequent alerts in case of an outage, notifying about what caused it, the current status, and restoration estimates.
5. Email Alerts: Outage alerts can be received by customers via their email by signing up with their Eversource account.
6. Local Sources: You can also check outages on PowerOutage.us, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), and NH.gov. Also, view local news like Boston 25, FOX61, CBS Boston, and NBC Boston during major storms.
What to Do During an Eversource Power Outage?
During an Eversource power breakdown, here are some safety measures you can take and some emergency plans you can follow to better prepare yourself:
1. Safety Tips During a Power Outage
Downed Power Lines
Keep away (at a minimum of 30-35 feet) and consider them to be hazardous. Call 911 and report to Eversource. Just in case a power line falls on your vehicle, remain still inside till help arrives.
Electrical Safety
You should never plug in electronics when power surges, and be sure not to use something that is wet. Also, only use a generator with a transfer switch and never plug it into your home system directly.
Carbon Monoxide (CO) Safety
Don’t even think about running your gas generator, grill, or stoves inside your house, or even right by your windows. Also, grab yourself some CO detectors that are battery-backed and install them on each floor. Furthermore, recognize the indicators of CO poisoning, including feeling woozy, pounding headaches, or random waves of nausea. Get fresh air and medical assistance instantly if that happens.
Food Safety
Keep fridge and freezer doors shut to maintain their temperature for a long time. A fridge stays cold for ~4 hours, and a freezer ~48 hours if full. Use a thermometer to monitor the temperature of the fridge, and if doubtful, throw out food that was over 40°F (4°C) for 2+ hours.
2. Emergency Plans
Eversource Emergency Plan
The utility company offers a free, optional program for customers who rely on life-support equipment. If enrolled, you’ll be notified about planned outages and severe weather risks and can get help planning for backup power, like using a generator. However, this program does not prevent shutoffs due to non-payment, guarantee power during outages, or guarantee faster restoration. So, you’re still responsible for having backup power.
Emergency Kit
You must have an emergency kit, in case of a power failure caused by a hurricane or a storm, to carry it to a shelter or the basement of your house. It must contain flashlights, lightsticks, and battery-powered candles rather than wax candles.
The kit must also include spare batteries and a radio (battery or hand-crank) to receive weather updates. Also, take a whistle to notify a rescue party and a first-aid kit that contains life-saving drugs. In addition, pack three days’ worth (one gallon per person per day of water), non-perishable food such as granola bars, ready-to-cook meals, and canned meals.
There should also be instruments such as a multi-tool, duct tape, and a wrench to shut off utilities. Toss in hygiene items (wipes, trash bags, etc.), some cash, and copies of important documents in a waterproof bag. Don’t forget to place a phone charger or power bank and pet food in the kit for your furry companions.
Backup Power
Consider a backup generator or portable power station to juice up crucial appliances. When the lights go out for ages, you’ll be glad you can keep your phone, laptop, radio, or even a CPAP running along. Nevertheless, gas generators cannot be compared with portable stations. The power stations do not emit noise or any pollutants and can be used inside a building.
Also, they’re battery- or solar-operated, so you won’t have to worry about fuel expenses or storage. Besides, you can carry the station to your shelter or basement during a breakdown due to a hurricane or storm. Power stations are also good to take on a road trip, install in RVs, or utilize at campsites.
Recommended Backup Power Station for Eversource Outage
A portable power station like the BLUETTI AC200L provides a 2,400W output (boosts to 3,600W) that can run up to 95% of household appliances. You can also expand its battery capacity from 2kWh to 7.6kWh to run laptops, phones, radios, LED lights, WiFi, and other small appliances at one time during a lengthy blackout.
Designed for both home and RV use, it includes special ports for trailers and vans. The unit also recharges quickly with up to 1,200W solar input and can function as a 24/7 UPS, making it great for unexpected power breakdowns or mobile setups. With up to 92% AC efficiency and low energy loss, it’s a top-performing, clean energy option. You can charge the unit via solar, AC, a car charger, a wall outlet, and AC+DC. Besides, it can reach 80% charge in just 40 minutes with AC input.
Running Time of Appliances With BLUETTI AC200L:
| Appliance | Appliance Wattage | Running Time |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | 300W | 6.03 hours |
| Microwave | 600W | 3.02 hours |
| Laptop | 70W | 22.06 hours |
| CPAP | 60W | 25.13 hours |
| Phone Charger | 15W | 67.02 hours |
| Router | 6W | 100.52 hours |
| Electric Stove | 2000W | 0.90 hours |
| LED Light Bulb | 10W | 82.25 hours |
| Handheld Radio | 5W | 106.44 hours |
If you want more power to run a refrigerator/freezer, microwave, and an electric stove, along with small appliances, the BLUETTI Apex 300 is an excellent fit. It delivers 3,840W of power and has a 2,764.8Wh battery. You can double the power to 7,680W and expand the storage up to 58kWh by connecting two units.
This makes it great to run heavier appliances for long periods during lengthy electricity breakdowns. The unit provides seamless switchover to backup power with no delay, sends weather alerts, and can auto-recharge even in bad weather. You can charge the Apex 300 with a wall outlet, solar (up to 30 kW with SolarX 4K), AC + solar, a car charger, and a generator.
The unit can reach a full charge in 65 minutes and also provides a 12kW Bypass for EV charging. Besides, you can track battery status and power levels for both the AC200L and Apex 300 using the BLUETTI Smart app.
Running Time of Appliances With BLUETTI Apex 300:
| Appliance | Appliance Wattage | Running Time |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | 300W | 7.87 hours |
| Microwave | 600W | 3.94 hours |
| Laptop | 70W | 33.75 hours |
| CPAP | 60W | 39.37 hours |
| Phone Charger | 15W | 157.49 hours |
| Router | 6W | 394.3 hours |
| Electric Stove | 2000W | 1.18 hours |
| LED Light Bulb | 10W | 236.6 hours |
| Handheld Radio | 5W | 473.1 hours |
FAQs
Does Eversource provide reimbursement for blackouts in the areas it serves?
Yes. But only for Connecticut residents. When a Connecticut storm-related outage takes more than 96 hours, it will entitle the customer to a $25 credit for every 24 hours without electricity after that. They can also receive up to $250 as reimbursement for spoiled food and medicine. But they must apply within 60 days after the outage is mostly resolved.
How is my electricity bill broken down?
Your electric bill has two parts: the supply charge for the energy you use, and the delivery charge for Eversource to deliver it and maintain power lines. The supply can come from Eversource or another provider.
Can I choose a different electricity supplier?
In many Eversource areas, you can choose a different electricity supplier if they offer a better rate. But if you don’t pick one, Eversource will remain your default provider.
What is the best way to save energy and save on my electricity bill?
Eversource provides plans by which you can save energy and cut your bills. Among them are tips on appliances being energy-efficient, rebates, products, and tools to monitor and control your power consumption.
The Bottom Line
Daily routine and services can be impeded by an Eversource outage in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Hampshire. Although Eversource Energy provides electricity recovery promptly, storms and other complications can prolong the breakdown. If an outage happens in your vicinity, you may monitor and report it via tools such as Eversource Outage Map. You can also dial the hotline of Eversource or send a text message stating that your neighborhood experienced a blackout.
But what guarantees your safety is taking critical measures, getting an emergency kit, and a backup power supply. Portable Power Stations like the BLUETTI AC200L and Apex 300 are great clean energy options as a backup for your residence, RV, or campsite. The AC200L gives up to 2,400W (boosts to 3,600W) output to run small appliances. You can also expand its capacity to 7.6kWh to juice up small appliances for longer.
Whereas the Apex300 can bear more with 3,840W output and expandable power up to 7,680W with 2 units and storage up to 58kWh. This setup is ideal to juice up power-voracious appliances for long blackouts. Both the AC200L and Apex 300 are silent, dependable, and controllable with the help of the BLUETTI application.
