UI Recognizes National Preparedness Month, Sharing Safety and Readiness Tips for Customers
Company highlights ongoing commitment to emergency management training and steps customers can take to stay prepared
ORANGE, Conn. — September 14, 2026 – United Illuminating (UI), a subsidiary of Avangrid, Inc, recognizes the month of September as National Preparedness Month and takes the opportunity to remind customers of the importance of planning ahead for storms, outages, and other emergencies. As weather patterns continue to grow more unpredictable, UI encourages all customers to take simple steps that can help keep families safe and connected.
“Preparedness is a shared responsibility, and National Preparedness Month is a great reminder for families to take steps now to stay safe before and during storms and other emergency situations,” said Frank Reynolds, President & CEO of UI. “Our teams monitor weather forecasts year‑round and increase staffing when necessary so we can respond quickly and safely. We encourage customers to use this month as an opportunity to review their own plans and make sure they’re ready for whatever the season brings.”
National Preparedness Month, led by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) each September, promotes proactive planning to ensure communities are ready for emergencies. UI supports this mission by providing customers with tools, resources, and safety information to help them prepare before severe weather strikes.
UI’s Electric Operations and Emergency Response teams work continuously to stay ready for severe weather. Last week, UI held a day-long internal emergency response exercise to sharpen skills and collaboration during various simulated emergency scenarios. The company consistently monitors forecasts from multiple meteorological services, conducts internal planning calls ahead of storms, and adjusts staffing levels to ensure crews are prepared to respond to outages as soon as conditions allow. During major weather events, UI also coordinates closely with municipal leaders, first responders, and state agencies to support community safety.
“Preparedness is one of the most important tools we have,” said Chuck Eves, VP of Electric Operations at UI. “Whether it’s a summer thunderstorm or a winter nor’easter, customers taking a few minutes to plan ahead can make all the difference. It’s important to remember that outages can occur even during routine weather changes, and having a plan in place helps ensure families remain safe and informed.”
To help customers prepare, UI recommends the following steps:
- Assemble an emergency toolkit with flashlights, batteries, candles, matches, a disposable lighter, and a first-aid kit.
- Fill containers with drinking water, keep a three-day supply of canned or dried food, and make sure you have a manual can opener.
- Charge devices ahead of forecasted storms and store important phone numbers.
- Sign up for UI Outage Alerts to receive real‑time updates about power restoration.
- Stay far away from downed wires and report hazards immediately.
- Review family emergency plans including meeting locations and communication methods.
For more storm readiness tips and safety information, visit Storm Information - UI.
Media Contact:
Angela Baccaro