UPDATED Storm Wallops Darien; Thousands Powerless for Days
Connecticut Light and Power says it is unlikely Darien will see power before Wednesday.
Heavy rains and 60 mph winds, the result of a slow-moving storm system that walloped Fairfield County through the overnight, have downed over 50 trees in Darien, leaving dozens of roads closed and over 3,800 residents without power.
Connecticut Light & Power has resumed its efforts in restoring electricity, bringing an extra 100 trucks to the area and starting with high priority locations.
The company confirmed Monday morning that it is "unlikely" Darien will see power before Wednesday, March 17; even then, said CL&P representative Kimberly Marston, they cannot promise 100 percent restoration.
The good news, said CL&P's Al Lara, is that Darien's location allows crews to access the area relatively fast.
"Darien is lucky to be on the edge of a vast outage pattern, so we are able to get mutual aid assistance quicker than other municipalities," said Lara.
The company has upped its manpower, Lara said, bringing in crews from New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Ohio and even Quebec.
Police say they are "inundated" with reports of life threatening emergencies and ask that residents refrain from calling police to inquire about outages.
"People are going to have to be patient and realize it's going to be a few days for power to be restored," said First Selectman Dave Campbell.
There are no plans for an emergency shelter as of yet. Campbell said he would reconsider the need tomorrow, before leaving town for a few days. Selectman David Bayne will serve as Acting First Selectman in Campbell's absence.
Traveling is ill advised. Police say many roadways are completely impassable and all downed power lines are to be considered energized.
"Do not leave the safety of your residence unless it is an emergency and do not drive over power lines," said Sgt. Jeremiah Marron in a release.
Darien public schools have been closed for Monday, March 15 due to extensive storm damage.
Police ask that residents call the police department for emergencies only.
If you have storm photos, tips, or questions you can upload them right to this article. Alternatively, send your news along to cecelia@patch.com.
Cecelia Smith
12:03 pm on Sunday, March 14, 2010
Meteorologists say the rain will come to and end by noon.
Cecelia Smith
12:14 pm on Sunday, March 14, 2010
Public Works Committee Chair Mark Adiletta of the Representative Town Meeting has contacted First Selectman Dave Campbell with regards to opening the dump to residents this evening. Private streets, littered with debris, are not served by the town's public works department. Campbell said he is "looking into it," but for now, reiterates the request of the Darien Police, urging residents to stay at home.
Cecelia Smith
12:46 pm on Sunday, March 14, 2010
First Selectman Dave Campbell said the likelihood of setting up a shelter is slim to none. "Residents tend to rally together in times like these—sharing resources, staying with friends," he said.
Jim McIlree
8:48 pm on Monday, March 15, 2010
A comment completely out of touch with the situation, and not worthy of a First Selectman, or any elected official.
Cecelia Smith
2:42 pm on Sunday, March 14, 2010
Darien Fire responds to a live wire fire on Raymond Street.
Cecelia Smith
6:18 pm on Sunday, March 14, 2010
CL&P reports 3826 Darien customers without power. Still no word as to when power will be restored, though "priority" locations—main roads—are likely to see the light first.
Cecelia Smith
7:14 pm on Sunday, March 14, 2010
Our neighbors up in New Canaan have reported that CL&P does not expect New Canaan to have power restored until Tuesday night.
Cecelia Smith
8:42 pm on Sunday, March 14, 2010
Monday Closings:
Darien Public Schools closed
Senior Center closed
Darien Community Association closed
YWCA closed
YMCA Holly Pond School closed; all Y programs/classes on as scheduled from 6:30 a.m.
Looking for a safe haven? The Darien Library, Town Hall and the YMCA will be open for regular hours.
Cecelia Smith
9:30 pm on Sunday, March 14, 2010
CL&P's "interrupted customers" toll down from 3826 to 3517.
Cecelia Smith
8:29 am on Monday, March 15, 2010
Monday morning updates:
Metro-North trains running on time
Person to Person closed
CL&P's powerless Darienites toll now stands at 3400
Cecelia Smith
9:14 am on Monday, March 15, 2010
CL&P's Al Lara says Wednesday is a "conservative" estimate for power restoration. Asked if residents should leave town or check into hotels, he said: "Well—hmmph—residents should know that they will be without power for a few days, and plan accordingly."
R. E. (Pete) Kenyon III
10:56 am on Monday, March 15, 2010
Cecelia,
You should ask your constituency to consider what will happen when a major hurricane hits this area. The 13 March storm is best characterized as a Nor'easter, with reported gusts of upwards of 70 mph, and the maximum sustained winds are normally 10 to 15 mph less. Hurricane winds start at 74 mph sustained for a Category 1, and work up to 150+ for a Category 5. If CL&P is so inept with just gale force winds, how are they going to perform when this area gets hit with a Category 3 hurricane, where the maximum sustained winds are more than double the maximum gusts suffered last Saturday? My power remained on throughout the storm, but was turned off by CL&P so that they could deal with their other problems. How many citizens of Darien, and those of other adjacent communities, had their power turned off, as distinct from losing it due to "an Act of God", to suit CL&P's purposes? I believe that CL&P and our local municipalities need to review their Emergency Preparedness Plans, and adjust them to reality.
Pete Kenyon
Cecelia Smith
10:24 am on Monday, March 15, 2010
At your request, a list and map of road closures: http://patch.com/WNXw
Cecelia Smith
3:58 pm on Monday, March 15, 2010
All Darien Public Schools are closed Tuesday, March 16.