Extreme Weather on the Way? Here Are 5 Ways To Stay Informed

While the path of Hurricane Joaquin is still uncertain, we continue to monitor forecasts and prepare. Here are five things you can do to stay informed:

UIL Tracking Hurricane Joaquin, Making Preparations

The United Illuminating Company (UI) and its sister companies, Southern Connecticut Gas Company (SCG), Connecticut Natural Gas Corporation (CNG) and Berkshire Gas Company are monitoring weather forecasts and making preparations in advance of Hurricane Joaquin, which could bring high winds and heavy rain to the region this weekend and early next week. UI, SCG, CNG & Berkshire Gas are subsidiaries of UIL Holdings Corporation (NYSE: UIL).

UI has already participated in several advance meetings and has been preparing crews and equipment to ensure that adequate resources are in place to address any power outages that might occur as a result of the storm.

Sign Up for Storm & Outage Alerts from UI

Remembering Gloria: Honoring a Job Well Done

Line workers and other employees of The United Illuminating Company who worked during Hurricane Gloria received a unique memento in recognition of their successful efforts to restore electric service to 184,000 customers: a belt buckle.

It reads: “Sept. 27, 1985. Hurricane Gloria. United Illuminating.”

Remembering Gloria: After the Storm, UI Called in the Cavalry

George Edwards had been on the job as president and CEO of The United Illuminating Company for less than six months when Hurricane Gloria roared ashore on Sept. 27, 1985.

This would be no baptism by fire; it would be baptism by 92-mph winds, fallen trees and darkness for 184,000 customers.

These were his company’s poles, wires and transformers being tossed around. These were his company’s customers without power. What would this new, 44-year-old CEO from Georgia do?

He picked up the phone.

Remembering Gloria: Former Line Worker Recalls First Look at Storm’s Aftermath

Walter Booker didn’t even know where to start when he got his first look at the damage from Hurricane Gloria.

He’d worked his share of storms, having spent six years as a line worker, 1^st class, at UI.

But Gloria was his first hurricane.

He and his colleagues were eager to do what they’d been trained to do. They’d waited out the Sept. 27, 1985 storm, stocking up trucks and readying equipment while Gloria raged outside. As the day wore on, the swirling bands of tropical wind and rain eventually yielded to the sort of crisp, sunny day that often follows a tempest.

It was a beautiful afternoon — if you could ignore the devastation.

Remembering Gloria: As Storm Took Aim at CT, UI Called the Doctor

On Sept. 25, 1985, Hurricane Gloria churned its way past the Caribbean and started its punishing trek up the Eastern seaboard.

At The United Illuminating Company, officials were growing concerned. Weather reports were coming in, but there was no official indication what track the storm was going to take as it approached New England. The Weather Channel and similar cable channels existed, but forecasting models were not as precise as they are today.

But there was one person UI could contact who would have an accurate forecast. And anyone who has lived in Connecticut during the past 30 years knows the name.