New Hampshire
Tornado watch issued for parts of New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts until 8 p.m.
CONCORD — The National Weather Service in Gray, Maine, warns residents and visitors in New Hampshire that there is an enhanced risk for severe storms Sunday.
At about 1 p.m., a tornado watch was issued for parts of Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont until 8 p.m. by the National Weather Service in Gray, Maine. A tornado watch means current weather conditions could lead to a tornado, and you should be prepared to move to shelter. A warning means a tornado is occurring or about to happen, seek shelter immediately.
According to the National Weather Service in Gray, Maine, thunderstorms are expected to develop between 2 to 4 p.m. and move southeast across the area through the evening by 9 p.m.
The New Hampshire Department of Safety’s Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management urges residents and visitors to prepare now for the possibility of damaging winds, isolated tornadoes, hail, and flash flooding.
“Stay informed to keep you and your family safe,” said HSEM Director Robert Buxton. “Review your family emergency plan now and make sure your emergency kit is stocked. Your kit should include important documents and contact information along with supplies.”
The NWS said there is the potential for winds over 70 mph, and the Storm Prediction Center has issued a 10% risk for tornadoes across New Hampshire for Sunday.
Campers should have a way to be aware of changing conditions and be prepared to evacuate to higher ground immediately if flooding occurs. Campers also should have a plan for alternative shelter if needed.
The state Department of Safety’s Division of Homeland Security and Emergency offers the following safety recommendations:
- Have multiple ways to receive weather alerts. Monitor storm updates from the NationalWeather Service and local news stations. Sign up for NH Alerts and download the GenasysProtect mobile app to receive free emergency notifications.
- If flooding occurs get to higher ground immediately. Just 6 inches of moving water can knockyou down, and 1 foot of water can sweep your vehicle away.
- If driving in a vehicle, remember the saying, “turn around, don’t drown.”
- If floodwaters rise around your car but the water is not moving, abandon the car and move tohigher ground. Do not leave the car and enter moving water. Just 6 inches of water can reachthe bottom of most passenger cars causing loss of control and possible stalling.
- Prepare your home: Trim trees that may fall and cause damage.
- Tie down or bring indoors any objects that might be blown around by winds (outdoorfurniture, decorations, garbage cans, and other loose objects that are normally left outside).
- Follow instructions from local emergency officials and know how to safely evacuate shouldyou be told to do so.
- Find the latest road conditions at newengland511.org.Learn more about staying informed, having a plan and making a kit as well as the actions to take for different severe weather events online at ReadyNH.gov.Stay informed by following New Hampshire Homeland Security and Emergency Management on Facebook, X, formerly Twitter, (@NH_HSEM) and Instagram (@NH_HSE.
Unitil readies for potential outages
Unitil Corporation announced Sunday they are prepared to respond to outages in all service regions as potentially severe thunderstorms pass through this afternoon and tonight.
According to the most recent forecast, wind gusts of 40-65 miles per hour or more are possible within the most powerful storm cells today, with isolated chances of tornado activity possible as well. High winds have the potential to take down otherwise healthy tree limbs and branches into poles and wires, causing outages.
Unitil secured additional crews in advance of the storm and will have teams ready to respond in all regions during the expected peak activity.
“Thunderstorm activity in the late spring and early summer is fast moving and has the potential to deliver extremely hazardous conditions with little to no advance warning,” Unitil External Affairs Director Alec O’Meara said. “We recognize conditions are ripe for such activity today, and we are prepared to react should any area see the worst of what is forecasted.”
Unitil will be communicating throughout the event through Public Service Announcements (PSAs), their website, customer call center and through the media. They also encourage customers to follow along with their storm updates via Facebook, Twitter feed (@Unitil) and will provide real-time outage information online at unitil.com/map.
The federal government has activated the New Hampshire National Guard’s 157th Air Refueling Wing in connection with the war with Iran.
“I’ve had a briefing myself, a classified briefing, but it’s really important on the messaging on this that we really coordinate with the Pentagon,” Gov. Kelly Ayotte told reporters during a press briefing following Wednesday’s Executive Council meeting.
Ayotte said she was unable to share additional details about the nature of the New Hampshire National Guard’s activity related to the conflict, including how many guard members have been activated or what role they are playing.
“We’re going to respect what messaging comes out of the Pentagon just to make sure that our men and women in uniform are fully protected and that we aren’t providing any information that could be used in a way that would be harmful to them,” Ayotte said.
In a statement Thursday, Ayotte said the unit had been deployed in late February to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in support of the operation.
Earlier this week, Pentagon officials confirmed that members of the Vermont National Guard were involved in attacks against Iran over the weekend, though our news partners at Vermont Public were not able to confirm additional details on the nature of the operation.
During the briefing with local reporters, Ayotte also stressed her support for servicemembers and those close to them.
“I have such respect for our men and women in uniform,” Ayotte said. “As you know, I come from a military family, and they have our full support, and we appreciate them and their families, and obviously anyone who is serving right now, and my thoughts and prayers go out to those who have lost someone that they love.”
By PAULA TRACY, InDepthNH.org
CONCORD – While Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte has said she opposes increasing highway toll rates across the state, the Senate voted Thursday to increase rates for out-of-state license plate holders.
It now goes to the House for consideration.
This would be a $1 increase for those who have out of state plates going through the tolls at Hooksett, Hampton and Bedford for out-of-state plates, a 75 cent hike for those taking Hampton’s Exit 2 and on the Spaulding turnpike at Rochester, and a 50 cent hike for those taking the exit off I-93 to Hooksett.
An analysis in the bill shows that this would increase toll revenue by $53.3 million in fiscal year 2027 and go up each year to generate $81.4 million a year in 2036.
Senate Bill 627 passed on a voice vote with two Republicans, Senators Regina Birdsell of Hampstead and William Gannon of Sandown opposing.
Senator Mark E. McConkey, R-Freedom, moved to take the bill off the table and offered an amendment.
He said the last time there was a systemwide increase to the turnpike toll was 19 years ago.
“I am sure we could all agree the cost of operations…has continued to escalate when revenue is not rising with it,” and he noted that with an enterprise fund, the state can only spend what it takes in.
The state has just completed a 10-year highway plan and there was a $400 million shortfall in projects that could not be paid for under the current income.
McConkey said the measure would not increase tolls for New Hampshire drivers with a state license plate.
“Why don’t we ask our neighbors,” to pay a toll increase. “We are getting the best of all worlds,” by passing the bill, he said, including “protecting our residents” and having resources for improvements to the turnpike system.
Sen. Gannon, R-Sandown, asked McConkey if there are any studies on impacts near the border on businesses.
If implemented, McConkey said the state will be the 27th lowest in per mile cost still. McConkey said the bill would also increase from seven to 14 days the amount of time for those with NH license plates to pay for a toll adding there are other states that also have different rates for out-of-state users.
The Hampton toll cost would go from $2 to $3, while Hooksett and Bedford would rise from $1 to $2 for out-of-state plates.
New Hampshire currently has the lowest rate per mile among states with tolls roads.
The governor said she does not support a toll increase.
“We are not going to put a burden on drivers for a toll increase,” Ayotte said. “Families are struggling.”
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