NSTAR Gears Up For Hurricane Sandy

The electrical utility that serves Southeastern Massachusetts is getting ready to battle the wrath of Hurricane Sandy.  The storm is expected to hit early next week, bringing high winds and several inches of rain to the region and the prospects of numerous power outages.

NSTAR spokesman Mike Durand says all employees have been put on alert, and told they may be needed to work.  In addition to NSTAR's regular crews, the utility has on call electrical crews from the midwest.  Durand tells WBSM News, the chances of getting crews from other New England or Mid-Atlantic states are pretty slim.

Durand says NSTAR has responded to criticism of its response to Hurricane Irene last year, by setting up a web portal where municipal officials can get information about outages.  The company has also responded to requests from customers by setting up an outage map on its website, listing the status of outages by community.