Unexpected power outages can disrupt daily life, especially when they impact thousands of homes and businesses. Recently, many Unitil customers in New Hampshire experienced a large-scale blackout. In this article, we’ll explore what happened, how the community responded, and practical steps you can take to stay ready for future events.
On May 18, 2025, around 18,000 Unitil customers lost electricity on New Hampshire’s Seacoast. The surprising cause was a squirrel at a local substation. According to WMUR’s report, the animal triggered a breaker, creating a widespread blackout. While Unitil crews resolved the primary outage within 90 minutes, some customers experienced isolated interruptions throughout the evening as storms moved through the area.
After the incident, nearly 1,900 Unitil customers in Hampton still faced outages the following day. The company’s outage map and updates offered crucial, real-time information for affected households. Unitil urged customers to report outages at least once daily to ensure restoration efforts continued efficiently. Regular communication and customer service played key roles in minimizing disruption and ensuring safety.
Power interruptions can occur unexpectedly, whether from wildlife, storms, or other factors. Here are a few important steps you can follow to be prepared:
If you’re a Unitil customer experiencing a power outage, always report it directly to their hotline: 1-888-301-7700. This ensures that your outage is registered and helps restoration teams prioritize repairs.
Large-scale events like the recent Unitil power outage underscore the importance of staying prepared. Keeping emergency supplies on hand and knowing how to contact your utility provider makes a big difference. For ongoing updates and additional details about utility services in New Hampshire, refer to local news sources and always follow recommendations from Unitil. Stay alert, stay safe, and be proactive in protecting your home and family from unexpected outages.