Review of Hurricane Isabel 1 (September 2003) December 5, 2003 PJ Aduskevicz NRIC VI Focus Group 2 Co-Chair NRSC Chair

Review of Hurricane Isabel 2 Outline Outage Reports Review of Special Events Observations from Hurricane Isabel Key Learnings from Hurricane Isabel Guidance from Hurricane Isabel

Review of Hurricane Isabel 3 Number of Outage Reports Customers Potentially Affected Outage Duration (Hours) MeanMedianMeanMedian Voluntary Approved Scrubbed Reports 4117,71999, Mandatory Final Reports 277, Outage Reports (Voluntary and Mandatory)

Review of Hurricane Isabel 4 Review of Special Events Special events can be caused by –severe weather (hurricane, earthquake, flood, blizzard, ice, wind, tornado, wildfire) –human action (fire, terrorism, power blackout, system errors) Can have unusual impact on public communications networks –could be multiple outages for single event –duration may be much longer –single outages may have higher outage index score –other possible characteristics Observed frequency is usually 1 to 2 per year in the U.S. Each of these events may have attributes... similar to what has been already experienced... with some additional new aspect... with some significant new challenge Consistently confirm effectiveness of existing NRIC Best Practices Often an opportunity for additional learning

Review of Hurricane Isabel 5 Observations Characteristics similar to previous experiences –Hurricanes –“Calm before Storm” preparation time –Concerns for safety of employees re-entering the affected areas –Implementation of hurricane emergency preparedness procedures Characteristics with marginal new challenges or more intensity –Location of impact in Northeast U.S. –Persistence of hurricane force over land –Logistical challenges for positioning of equipment were more intense Characteristics significantly new –Second major power-affecting incident in the Northeastern U.S. within a one month period –New procedures from learnings of August 2003 Power Blackout were in the process of being implemented for the first time –Long term moisture saturation of ground contributed to tree toppling when stressed by high winds

Review of Hurricane Isabel 6 Key Learnings Need to review back-up emergency power for remote sites (also learned from August Power Blackout) NRIC Best Practices were effective: –Preventing service outages –Mitigating service impact –Speeding service restoration NCC Telecom-ISAC process worked well Maintaining aggressive tree branch trimming policies and programs for trees near aerial facilities, can significantly reduce the number of cables taken down in such a storm.

Review of Hurricane Isabel 7 Guidance Continued Implementation of NRIC Best Practices: –Preparing for emergencies –Invoking mutual aid agreements –Preventing service outages –Mitigating service impact –Speeding service restoration ~100 Applicable NRIC Best Practices , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,