MANCHESTER, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) As the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season gets underway, Eversource says it is continuing year-round work to strengthen New Hampshire’s electric grid and improve its ability to respond to severe weather.

While the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is predicting a below-average hurricane season this year, utility officials noted that tropical storms, hurricanes, and other damaging weather events remain a possibility throughout New England.

According to Eversource, ongoing investments in infrastructure and emergency preparedness are designed to reduce outages and speed restoration efforts when storms occur.

“Our top priority is keeping our customers and communities safe, connected and informed,” said Bob Coates, president of New Hampshire electric operations for Eversource. He said the company continually upgrades infrastructure, refines emergency response plans, and coordinates with local communities and emergency management partners to prepare for severe weather.

One of the utility’s primary focuses is vegetation management. Eversource said trees account for more than 90% of storm-related power outages across its service area. As a result, the company conducts year-round tree trimming and removal work to address vegetation that could threaten power lines and electrical equipment.

The utility is also investing in upgrades to the electric system, including replacing aging poles and wires with more durable materials, installing automated technologies such as smart switches, and enhancing substation infrastructure to improve resilience during major storms.

Coates said customers also play an important role in storm preparedness.

“Storm preparedness and response is a responsibility we take very seriously,” he said. “With the 2026 hurricane season officially underway, we also encourage our customers to take time now to prepare at home and create an emergency plan that can make a real difference when storms strike.”

Eversource recommends that residents maintain an emergency supply kit, establish a family communication and meeting plan, and check on neighbors during and after severe weather events. The company also encourages customers to sign up for outage alerts through its mobile app or two-way text messaging service to receive updates and report outages.

Eversource serves nearly 549,000 electric customers in 206 New Hampshire communities and is the state’s largest electric utility. For additional information about storm preparedness and power restoration efforts, customers can visit the company’s website.