Eversource Ready for An Active 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season

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BOSTON, Mass. — As the ocean waters churn along the east coast and another hurricane season begins, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is predicting above-normal activity for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season.

Between June 1 and November 30, NOAA is forecasting a 60 percent chance of an above-normal season with 6-10 hurricanes having winds of 74 mph or higher and 3-5 major hurricanes with winds 111 mph or higher. With the changing climate increasing the frequency and severity of extreme weather around the globe, including here in New England, Eversource is reminding customers to plan and always be prepared for severe weather. The energy company works year-round to safeguard the electric grid through upgrades, maintenance, and proactive vegetation management to ensure reliability for customers.  

"As we've seen in Massachusetts many times over the years, extreme weather can hit hard here causing significant damage just as it can anywhere else in the country, so we know how crucial it is to be prepared—especially during hurricane season," said Eversource President of Electric Operations in Massachusetts Doug Foley. "We've been meeting to discuss NOAA's hurricane season forecast and review and update storm response protocols accordingly, but we really prepare for storms year-round. We always monitor multiple forecasts and take steps to prepare, including having crews ready to go if a storm is heading our way so they can respond as quickly and safely as possible to get customers back on if they do lose power."

With trees causing more than 90 percent of power outages during storms, trimming and removing hazard trees that threaten overhead electric lines is fundamental to emergency preparedness and crucial to providing customers with reliable power in all types of weather. Eversource also reminds customers that homeowners are responsible for keeping branches away from the lower-voltage service wires connecting their homes to the main utility lines on the street. The energy company strongly recommends contacting a professional tree service to perform this work.

A worker proactively trims a tree in Massachusetts to help ensure reliable power for customers.

Eversource offers several simple tips and steps customers can take to help prepare for hurricane season at home. The energy company provides a storm safety checklist and encourages customers to always have an emergency plan in place, assemble a storm kit with essential items, plan a meeting place for family members and be ready to check on neighbors. Customers can also download Eversource's mobile app or sign up for the company's two-way texting to report and check outages in the event they do occur.

For all the latest storm information and updates, follow Eversource on X and Facebook. For more information on the energy company's emergency preparedness efforts and restoration process, visit Eversource.com.


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Companion Corner: Cookie at No Paws Left Behind

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — There's an adventurous cat at No Paws Left Behind looking for his forever home.

iBerkshire's Companion Corner is a weekly series spotlighting an animal in our local shelters that is ready to find a home.

Cookie is a six year old grey and white domestic shorthair who has been at the shelter for a couple of months.

The shelter's Executive Director Noelle Howland introduced us to him.

"He came in, actually, with a couple other cats. It was just due to having too many cats in a house, and he came in with, we believe he might be like the father to the others. The others all were adopted over the last couple weeks, so he's the last one still here."

Cookie is a very friendly cat and he is always interested in the other cats to play or hang out. He can do well with other animals and any age but don't let his age fool you as he is still very active and very outgoing.

"He does well with other cats, he would do fine with being at home with dogs, kids. I know, like some people like seeing, a six year old cat you would think he may be not as active, but he is very active, outgoing, vocal. So, I think if you were somebody that was looking for a cat that was active and had a personality that I feel like he'd greet you at the door. He lets you know when he wants food. Really, he can go home with anything, as long as you want a cat that will let you know he's there, he'd be great."

He is quite adventurous as well. He enjoys climbing and exploring around his space. While he may be a bit shy to newcomers at first once he gets to know you he will talk to you and want to play.

"He likes to explore up high, so I think if you had a tall cat tower or windows for him to explore, he would love that, because he always is trying to get up high and get on the cabinets to see what's up there. There's not much he doesn't like, and then he can be a little like shy at first with new people, where he'll kind of go up to you and then walk away, but once he trusts you and is used to you, he's the easiest going social cat," she said.

Cookie does have a bit of a sensitive stomach and would be better if he has certain foods.

"We've tried a lamb or turkey food, and he's had a sensitivity to that, so we've been having him on just salmon and rice food, and he's been perfectly fine, no issues. So, otherwise, aside from the sensitivity, he's perfectly healthy and normal."

Cookie is waiting to be your next family member, if you want someone to talk to and lounge around with this is your boy.

"I really just think if you're looking for a social cat, he's going to be a great companion for somebody. I don't think it matters if you're… it doesn't matter your age. I think he would be happy to just have somebody keep him company and give him attention," she said.

If you think Cookie is your next companion be sure to fill out the form on their website and email or drop it off to No Paws Left Behind today.

 
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