Hundreds of thousands of people across the Northeast are facing extended power outages as Winter Storm Hernando continues to wreak havoc in the region. The storm, which arrived over the weekend, caused massive disruptions in Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Rhode Island, and utility companies are working tirelessly to restore power. With severe weather conditions still affecting restoration efforts, many residents are left wondering how long it will take to regain electricity, and whether they will be compensated for their troubles.
The most recent reports from poweroutage.com reveal that more than 380,000 customers are without electricity, with Massachusetts bearing the brunt of the storm’s damage. As crews battle difficult conditions, residents in affected areas are beginning to wonder about their rights and whether they can receive any form of compensation for the inconvenience.
Power Restoration Delays Across the Northeast
As of Tuesday morning, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Rhode Island remain the hardest-hit states, with power outages still widespread. In Massachusetts, over 200,000 customers are without electricity, primarily due to strong winds and snow accumulation that have caused tree branches to fall and damage power lines. Eversource, one of the largest utility providers in the state, estimates that it may take as long as six days to restore power to some areas, including Cape Cod. The company is focusing its efforts on the most affected regions but has warned residents to expect delays in power restoration.
According to National Grid, which serves much of the northeastern United States, many areas could regain power in three days or less. However, rural regions with significant tree damage may experience longer delays. In New Jersey, JCP&L has halted street-level estimates as it works to redirect crews to the most severely affected areas. Smaller outages in areas such as PSE&G’s service zone are expected to be resolved by Wednesday. For the most accurate restoration timeline, customers are encouraged to check their accounts online.
Delmarva Power, which serves the Delmarva Peninsula, has restored power to 65% of its affected customers. However, areas with severe infrastructure damage will take several days to repair. Similarly, Delaware Electric Cooperative, which calls the storm the second-worst in its history, is working to restore electricity in the most affected regions, with delays expected due to widespread grid damage.
Refunds and Credits for Power Outages: What You Can Expect
While direct compensation for the outage itself is rare, some states are offering bill reductions or credits to ease the burden on customers. In Massachusetts, residents will automatically receive a 25% discount on their electric bills for both February and March, as part of a $180-million relief package approved by the state. Similarly, in Maryland, over 247,000 Potomac Edison customers will see automatic credits ranging from $45 to $60 on their February bills.
Utilities generally do not provide compensation for food or medicine spoilage caused by electricity outages. However, home and rental insurance policies often cover such losses, with reimbursements typically ranging from $250 to $500, provided that customers submit the necessary documentation. In addition, lawmakers in New Jersey are considering legislation that would require utility companies to compensate residents for spoilage losses during extended outages.
