Again, please let me know (225-1575 or tim@timobrien.org) if there are any problems you are experiencing that I can work to address.
In the meantime, here is an update from CL&P, sent to legislators, that I would like to pass on, regarding the efforts to restore power:
With the remnants of Hurricane Irene leaving Connecticut, about 800 CL&P and contractor line and tree crews from as far away as Florida, Ohio and Michigan are now being deployed to start the restoration process. At the peak, the storm left more than 622,000 CL&P customers without power. This sets a record, surpassing the 477,000 CL&P customers who lost power from Hurricane Gloria in 1985. UI has approximately 144,000 customers without power
“In preparing for this hurricane, we were able to more than double the size of our workforce, said Jeff Butler, CL&P president and chief operating officer. “Now that it is safe for our crews to be out, we’re able to mobilize all of our available resources. At the same time, we continue trying to get additional crews to expedite our efforts.”
Crews will be responding to priority calls and cutting the power to downed lines to make areas safe. Restoring power to critical customers such as hospitals, police and fire departments will be a top priority. We will also be working closely with town public works crews to clear roads for emergency vehicles and so our crews can assess the damage and begin making repairs.
Later this evening, we will adjust our work schedules to ensure restoration efforts continue around the clock with a majority of our workforce working during daylight hours.
“The damage from this storm was unprecedented and the restoration process may take a week or longer in some areas,” said Butler. “We ask for and appreciate the understanding and patience of our customers during this difficult process.”
In the meantime, CL&P is reminding customers to:
· Stay at least 10 feet away from all wires! Assume any downed, hanging or burning power lines are live and dangerous. If a power line falls on your vehicle while you’re inside, stay there. Don’t touch anything outside the vehicle and wait for emergency crews. Call 9-1-1 immediately with any emergency condition.
· To report outages or check the status of an outage, visit cl-p.com or call 800-286-2000. Our automated phone and online systems can rapidly process your report and help us speed restoration efforts.
· Check your generator. Make sure it has been properly installed by a licensed electrician. Improperly installed generators can feed electricity back into power lines and pose a deadly situation for line and emergency restoration workers. Always operate generators outdoors to avoid carbon monoxide hazards.
CL&P is also reminding customers they can report outages or check the status of an outage by using our website - www.cl-p.com - or by calling https://www.cl-p.com/customer/outage 800-286-2000. You can also get updates on outages in your town by texting “outage” and your zip code to 24612.
Follow us on Twitter.
For helpful tips and news updates, follow us on Twitter @CTLightandPower. You can also get updates on outages in your town by texting “outage” and your zip code to 24612.
Update Aug 28th, 7:10 from the State Emergency Operations Center (except):
TROPICAL STORM IRENE MOVING INTO NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND…FLOODING CONTINUES ON SEVERAL STATE RIVERS…RECORD POWER OUTAGES CAUSED BY STORM…CLEAN UP MAY TAKE OVER A WEEK…At 7:00 PM the center of Tropical Storm Irene was located near 44.0 North 72.0 West (Northern New England). Irene has maximum sustained winds of 50 MPH and is moving to the North Northeast at 26 MPH.A new record for power line damage has been set by Irene with a total of approximately 750,000 outages. Irene also caused moderate to major coastal and riverine flooding.Strong winds in the wake of Irene are occurring this evening as the storm pulls away and pulls down dryer air from the Northwest. Winds are shifting to the West and gusting as high as 50 MPH at times. These winds will likely result in some additional damage to trees and powerlines and towns should take precautions to prevent injuries.Very heavy rainfall has occurred with Irene and several rivers are well over flood stage in Western CT. In addition tidal flooding has resulting in significant coastal damage.
