Community Corner

Storm News Center for Darien

Here's a central spot for Darien Patch's coverage of Hurricane Sandy. Bookmark this page to quickly find all of our coverage, and send us updates if you see shortages in stores or, later, wires down, flooding or other storm news.

News articles and hurricane preparation features for the major October/November storms:

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Find out what's happening in Darienwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

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Latest news

 

Find out what's happening in Darienwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Update 6:38 p.m.:

As of 6:25 p.m., there were 2,398 CL&P customers without power in Connecticut, with 26 of them in Darien.

Update 6:35 p.m.:

Connecticut Light & Power says that its "restoration effort [for Hurricane Sandy] has proven to be successful with the last few thousand customers in the hardest hit parts of Southwestern Connecticut now back in service.  In total, more than 850,000 customers have been restored. [...]

"Due to the severe damage caused by Sandy, CL&P estimates that more than a thousand of its customers will be unable to have electric service restored to their homes or businesses at this time.  Customer service representatives are working closely with these customers to outline the steps they need to complete, such as having wiring and equipment inspected by a building inspector, before the company can reconnect their service.    

"With the help of 2,900 outside line workers, crews have set over a thousand poles; strung more than 100 miles of overhead lines; and replaced 24-hundred transformers and 5-thousand cross arms."

Update 4:56 p.m.:

The STAR Gala that was postponed due to Hurricane Sandy has been rescheduled for Saturday, Dec. 1 at 6 p.m. at Wee Burn Country Club.

Update 4:24 p.m.:

Only 31 customers without power in Darien as of 4:16 p.m., according to CL&P.

Update 3:09 p.m.:

The storm has been named "Athena."

Greenwich and Milford officials are urging residents in low-lying areas on the shoreline to evacuate.

Update 3:05 p.m.:

Connecticut Light & Power has some suggestions in this announcement. Reminders, really:

"While CL&P is prepared to respond to any weather-related outages, the company also encourages customers to once again be prepared by assembling or restocking a storm kit and making arrangements to look out for their families, friends and neighbors.

"CL&P’s "Shopping for a Storm Kit" video on YouTube highlights the contents of a storm kit, including:
·        Flashlights with spare batteries
·        A battery-operated radio or TV
·        First-aid kit and medications
·        Canned, freeze-dried or dehydrated foods
·        A manual can opener
·        Bottled water
·        Baby or pet supplies (if needed)
·        Important phone numbers

"Customers who are dependent on electricity for critical medical needs are urged to make preparations now to switch to a backup source or move to an alternate location if necessary.

"The Connecticut American Red Cross, one of CL&P’s partners in emergency preparedness, provides helpful information and resources at www.ctredcross.org.  For tips and updates from CL&P, follow us on Twitter @CTLightandPower and like us on Facebook at facebook.com/ctlightandpower."

Update 1:39 p.m.:

As of 1:15 p.m., 344 Darien customers (4 percent of the town) were without power, according to CL&P. There are 6,420 CL&P customers without power in Connecticut.

Update 1:35 p.m.:

Just tweeted from Norwalk: "Due to the inclement weather, @SteppingStones will be closing at 2 pm today. Please be careful as you make your way home this evening."

Update 1:18 p.m.:

The Darien Times tweets: Royle School just emailed that their power, phones & email systems were down for an hour & a half, but have been restored."

Despite the fact that Darien Patch signed up for email alerts from each and every Darien school, no alert has been emailed to Darien@patch.com or David.Gurliacci@patch.com about this.

Or someone at Royle School emailed the Darien Times but not Darien Patch.

Update 1:14 p.m.:

King Low Heywood Thomas, a private school in Stamford, will close at 3:30 p.m. today as a result of the inclement weather.

Update 1:09 p.m.:

All after-school activities and late buses are canceled. The town emergency shelter will be ready if needed. Utility crews were standing by and maybe some are now already working with power out again for some in Darien. Here's First Selectman Jayme Stevenson's storm statement.

Update 1:06 p.m.:

A total of 506 Connecticut Light & Power customers were without power as of 12:46 p.m., or 6 percent of customers in town.

Update 10:40 a.m.:

Darien's Power Lines Again at Risk with New Storm's Winds

Power could go out. It will be colder than last time. Are you prepared?

Update 10:02 a.m.:

As of 9:44 a.m., five Darien customers were without power (see the Connecticut Light & Power Outage Map for the situation in other towns).

Update 4:55 p.m.:

Number of Darien customers without power: 76 (or 0.97 percent) as of 4:43 p.m., according to Connecticut Light & Power. And the next storm is less than a day away.

Update 3:43 p.m.:

Darien police just released this announcement:

"Darien residents who are elderly or infirm and who remain without heat and need relief from the cold are encouraged to contact Darien Social Services at 203-656-7328 during normal business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.  After those hours, please call the Darien Police Department routine number at 203-662-5301.  Once contacted, Town officials will make efforts to identify sources of relief from the cold."

Update 3:41 p.m.:

A total of 135 customers remain without power in Darien (1 percent of customers in town), according to Connecticut Light & Power as of 1:35 p.m.

Update 2:51 p.m.:

Julie Punishill tweets about a Halloween party tonight: "We are hosting a trunk or treat at MMS [Middlesex Middle School] tonight at 6 pm. Pls note not sponsored or sprvsd by DPS, but approved. Boo!"

Update 11:41 a.m.:

Still 275 customers without power in Darien (3 percent of customers in town), according to Connecticut Light & Power as of 11:13 a.m.

Update 8:54 a.m.:

Weather watch: The Darien-specific forecast by the National Weather Service is even uglier than a 2012 political attack: rain mixed with snow mixed with wind gusts, so if your power goes out again, it'll be cold in your house.

It isn't expected to freeze much (the Wednesday-Thursday temperature is supposed to dip as low as 33 degrees, one point above freezing—but meteorology can be inexact). Thursday is supposed to be cold, as well.

Darien is subject to a "Coastal Flood Watch"—"minor coastal flooding" with tides 3 to 4 feet above normal and waves as much as six feet above normal, the worst of it just after sunset Wednesday and just before daybreak Thursday). The town is also in an area under a "High Wind Watch" stating that north winds of 20 to 30 mph on Wednesday and Wednesday night could gust up to 60 mph, which could fell trees and cause power outages.

Here is the Darien-specific National Weather Service forecast through Thursday (for the rest of the seven-day forecast, click here):

  • Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 46. Northeast wind 7 to 10 mph.
  • Tuesday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 32. Northeast wind 8 to 18 mph.
  • Wednesday: A chance of rain and snow before 1pm, then rain. High near 43. Breezy, with a north wind 20 to 24 mph, with gusts as high as 41 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
  • Wednesday night: Rain before 1am, then rain and snow. Low around 33. Breezy, with a north wind 22 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 44 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
  • Thursday: Rain and snow before 10am, then a chance of rain. High near 44. Breezy, with a north wind 20 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 34 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
  • Thursday night: A slight chance of showers before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
  • Friday: Sunny, with a high near 55.

Update Tuesday, Nov. 6, 8:28 a.m.:

CL&P customers still without power in Darien: 325 or 4 percent, as of 8:21 a.m. Total CL&P customers in the state without power: 7,542, or less than 1 percent.

 

MONDAY

Update, Monday, Nov. 5, 5:53 p.m.:

Up to about 5:15 p.m., Monday, the New Canaan Office of Emergency Management had sent out 216 tweets about Storm Sandy. Darien's OEM doesn't have a Twitter account, but First Selectman Jayme Stevenson was tweeting (the only executive town official tweeting, it seems). Stevenson's tweeted 49 times in the same time period.

"[T]oo bad Darien doesn't realize how effective Twitter is for communicating," Bill Ozanne tweeted in reaction to Darien Patch's tweet about the difference.

Whether or not Darien's approach to communicating was better or worse than New Canaan's, it's certainly different. Twitter is one element of a town's approach to communicating with residents about a storm.

Update 5:39 p.m.:

No Halloween this year for Darien, First Selectman Jayme Stevenson tweets: "Darien's municipal celebration of Halloween is canceled in anticipation of Wednesday's predicted storm. No reschedule is planned."

Update 4:26 p.m.:

Darien Public Schools announced:

"The date of the K-5 Parent Workshop on World Language has been changed.

"The Parent Workshop on World Language has been rescheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 4, 7 p.m., Holmes School."

Update 12:27 p.m.:

CL&P customers in Darien now without power: 15 percent, or 1,235 as of 12:12 p.m.

Update 10:17 a.m.:

Reminder: You can put your election lawn signs back up now, if you forgot. Might as well get a couple of days worth of displaying them.

Update 10:12 a.m.:

Tuesday's election will run as scheduled. Here's a copy of Darien's ballot (RTM candidates will depend on your district). A PDF of the ballot is also attached to this article.

Remember, with redistricting you may well have another polling place and your RTM candidates may well be different from the last election. A table showing which polling place to go to based on your street address is here in PDF form for and also attached to this article.

Update 9:53 a.m.:

The Darien Thrift Shop planned to be closed today and open on Tuesday.

Is there any other place in Darien that hasn't reopened for normal business yet? If you know of any, please tell Darien Patch with a comment on the page or with an email to Darien@patch.com, and maybe we can avoid inconveniencing anybody with an unnecessary drive.

Update 9:50 a.m.:

Comfort stations in Darien, if you still don't have power:

  • Darien Library is open from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. today if you still don't have power.
  • The Center for Hope, 590 Post Rd., is open: "Our Family Centers offices in Greenwich and Darien are open and are available for folks to charge electronic devices, get out of the cold or fill up water bottles," writes Family Centers/Center for HOPE spokesman William Brucker. "Our team of mental health professionals can also provide counseling services for those coping with emotional stress caused by the storm."
  • The Darien Community Association is open, and you can rest there and recharge your cell phone.

Update 9:09 a.m.:

Here's a tool for commuters that might or might not be useful: "CleverCommute.com is an on-line service which allows commuters to use their smartphones to share real-time information with each other."

Here's the feed for the New Haven Line. It might be worth checking before the commute back home tonight or Tuesday morning.

Update 8:53 a.m.:

Yankee Gas says the situation (at least for natural gas service) is good enough in Connecticut that it can afford to spare some help for worse-hit New Jersey:

"With tens-of-thousands of natural gas customers in coastal New Jersey without heat and hot water, Yankee Gas is sending employees to the hardest hit areas served by New Jersey Natural Gas Company.  This unprecedented request for aid between gas companies comes after Hurricane Sandy devastated the state, interrupting not only electric service but natural gas service as well."

Update 8:44 a.m.:

Here's the Darien-specific weather forecast from the National Weather Service as of 7:45 a.m. (the forecast is for seven days, but for the final days of that follow the link; see also the post just below for the potential upcoming storm):

  • Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 47. North wind around 14 mph.
  • Monday night: Clear, with a low around 31. North wind 8 to 13 mph.
  • Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 47. North wind 6 to 8 mph becoming east in the afternoon.
  • Tuesday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 34. Northeast wind 7 to 15 mph.
  • Wednesday: Rain likely, mainly after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 48. Windy, with a northeast wind 17 to 22 mph increasing to 23 to 28 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
  • Wednesday Night: Rain. Low around 39. Windy. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
  • Thursday: Rain likely. Cloudy, with a high near 50. Windy. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent.
  • Thursday night: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.
  • Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 54.
  • Friday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 40.

Update 8:37 a.m.:

As hard as it is to contemplate, there is that next storm on the horizon, ready to hit a bit later this week, as Patch reported Sunday.

The National Weather Service says, "While there is still some uncertainty regarding the exact track and timing of a coastal storm in the Northeast U.S., substantial impacts are possible, many of which will be exacerbated by the damage caused by Sandy. Potential impacts include high winds, coastal flooding and beach erosion, localized flooding from heavy rain and interior wet snow capable of power outages and hazardous travel."

The weather service makes these points, some of which apply to Darien (but not the one about snow — at that point it's only expected for higher elevations; boldface is added to the quotes here):

  • "Windy conditions (perhaps gusts as high as 50 mph) that could be more problematic due to trees and limbs damaged by Sandy. The greatest threat for high winds will be near the coast.
  • "While nowhere near as bad as Sandy, the combination of storm surge and wave action could cause minor to perhaps moderate coastal flooding and additional beach erosion along the mid Atlantic and New England coast. Fortunately we are between the full and new moon so normal astronomical tide levels will be lower than usual. The threat for coastal flooding will be primarily during the high tides on Wed and Wed night for the mid-Atlantic. From New York City into New England, the high tides Wednesday night and Thursday have the greatest threat for flooding.
  • "Wet snow is expected across interior sections, especially higher elevations. [...]
  • "Heavy rain near the coast could cause flooding of poor drainage areas."

Update, Monday, Nov. 5, 8:24 a.m.:

CL&P customers in Darien now without power: 18 percent, or 1,483 as of 8:12 a.m.

Darien right now is the fifth-worst-hit community in Connecticut, with only New Canaan, Weston (33 percent still out in each of those towns), Wilton (26 percent) and Greenwich (21 percent) in worse shape.

SUNDAY

Update, Sunday, Nov. 4, 7:27 p.m.:

1010 WINS news radio tweets: "MTA Metro-North Railroad’s Hudson, Harlem and New Haven lines will operate regularly scheduled service on Monday."

Update 2:21 p.m.:

It's not on the Darien Public Schools website yet, despite school officials' assurance that it would be by 1 p.m. Sunday (they appear to be having problems with the website), but we're told school will be open Monday, with a 90-minute delay on Monday:

Update, Sunday, Nov. 4, 9:54 a.m.:

As of 9 a.m., 29 percent of Darien customers are currently without power, according to CL&P.

 

SATURDAY

Update Saturday, Nov. 3, 7:31 p.m.:

Text message from Backstreet restaurant: "Backstreet restaurant in Darien is open for limited menu & bar!!!! Cyrus is bartending."

Update 7:28 p.m.:

Darien CL&P customers now without power: 29 percent, or 2,278 customers as of 7:24 p.m. Statewide: 5 percent (73,144 customers).

Update 6:10 p.m.:

The following statement was sent by First Selectman Stevenson:

Authorities have reported that the impact of Hurricane Sandy is 3 times more destructive than Hurricane Irene. Power restoration is steadily improving throughout today. As of 4:00pm, 67% of customers have power restored including the downtown area. 100% restoration is estimated for Tuesday, November 6th by 11:30pm. We have 30 CL&P trucks in town with more on the way from Stamford as they become available.

Restoration estimates by area are as follows:

Approximately 750 customers in the Tokeneke and Downtownarea by 6 pm

Approximately 325 customers in the area north and west of Middlesex Road by 8pm

And approximately 250 customers in the Mansfield Avenue and West Avenue corridors by 8pm

With power returning to our downtown business district, more food establishments will be open.

As temperatures drop, please make sure to check on vulnerable friends or neighbors. Please be extremely cautious utilizing any alternative heating sources. Keep all fuels away from open candles or open flames. As power is restored, power surges are to be expected so unplugging sensitive equipment or appliances before power restoration is recommended.  

Never install a generator indoors. Make sure carbon monoxide detectors are working.

We expect FEMA representatives to arrive next week to begin to assess local damage. A FEMA Disaster Recovery Center has opened at Norwalk Community College.  We will post FEMA Center locations and hours and other important information on the town web site.

The decision to open schools will be made by 1:00pm Sunday. Several schools are still without power. Before school canreopen, we must insure roads are safe and buses can run. When school does open, please be sure your child’s walking path to school or their bus stop is free of downed wires. Parents must use caution in getting their children to school.

Most local gas stations are now out of gas with no overnight resupply expected. If you need gas, you will need to drive north and west to find an open station.

The transfer station will be open Sunday 10-5 to residents with our without permits for storm debris only in non-commercial vehicles.  

The Darien Library is open tonight till 9 and Sunday 9-9, the YMCA is open to the public Sunday from 12-5:45 and the New Beginnings Community Church on Tokeneke Road is open tonight from 8-10 and Sunday 1-5 for getting warm and recharging.

Voting will take place on Tuesday as scheduled in normal polling locations.

 Update 3:01 p.m.:

First Selectman Jayme Stevenson tweets: "CL&P reports Darien will have full restoration by 11:30pm Tuesday, November 6th. 30 crews working in Darien today."

Update 2:58 p.m.:

Norwalk Public Schools announced school's out on Monday. Stamford, as of now, is still deciding, saying much will depend on whether or not school buses can get through town (and adding "we are optimistic"). Darien Public Schools will announce between noon and 1 p.m. Sunday on the Home page of the school district website whether or not school is on for Monday. If Darien schools open, it will be on a 90-minute delay.

Update 2:49 p.m.:

There's a "Hurricane Potluck Supper" at Darien Library today at 5:30 p.m. Here's the entire announcement:

Sandy who? Consider this is a call to arms for the Darien community to gather together and share delicious food with one another. Do you have power and a secret casserole prowess? Bring a dish to Darien Library Saturday evening and lend a hand to your electricity-less friends and neighbors. You provide a dish and the Library will provide utensils and beverages.

No power? Bring your good attitude! We're also happy to point out that guacamole does not require cooking.

When preparing your dish, please read these food saftey guides handpicked by the Darien Health Department:

- Cooking for Groups: A Volunteer's Guide to Food Safety

- 7 Food Safety Steps for Successful Community Meals

- Cooking Safely for a Crowd

We're a community...and a great one at that! We'll see you this Saturday.

Additional parking for evening and weekend Library programs available on Thorndal Circle (behind Nielsen's).

Update 2:46 p.m.:

Darien Library is waiving fines for books and other materials not returned during the recent unpleasantness — the Sandy amnesty:

We know it's not your fault that you couldn't return books and DVDs to us the last few days and we're doing our best to keep your account clear of overdue fines related to the hurricane. However, if you notice a fine on your account for an item that you couldn't return because of the weather, please let us know and we will waive it, no questions asked. You can email us (circ@darienlibrary.org), call us (203-669-5239), or visit us at the Welcome Desk, and we'll take care of it.

Update 2:42 p.m.:

Darien Republican Town Committee tweets: "Darien GOP Headquarters has POWER! Thanks to all the hard work in getting downtown back on the grid! We'll reopen Sunday @ 10am."

Looks like power's returning all over downtown: Backstreet and Chuck's Steakhouse are both back, too.

Update 2:39 p.m.:

King Low Heywood Thomas School in Stamford reopens Monday.

Update 2:23 p.m.:

That's the downtown Post Road area coming back into the light, with power getting restored.

Update 2:19 p.m.:

Progress: Darien CL&P customers now without power: 37 percent, or 2,908 customers as of 2:12 p.m.

Update 2:16 p.m.:

A reader responds to the letter to the editor about showing gratitude to storm recovery workers:

I've been a WILTON police officer for over 30 years. I enjoyed reading your recent article about a mother and daughter who provided "coffee and" to work crews and police during the storm. I've been fortunate enough, upon occasion to be on the receiving end of one of those well appreciated "care packages". A hot cup of coffee while working your third straight 16 hour shift is, as they say "priceless". On behalf of all police officers please extend a special thanks to that mother and daughter team.

"Kip the Cop"

Update 1:56 p.m.:

Lindsey Clark emails: "Backstreet Restaurant has power."

Update 10:50 a.m.:

First Selectman Jayme Stevenson had a lot of storm-related information in a public briefing about town recovery efforts and a recorded "Code Red" telephone message to the town.

Update 10:45 a.m.:

"Officially, Daylight Saving Time ends at 2 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 4. Remember, you’ll “fall back” and set your clocks back one hour."

Update 10:43 a.m.:

If you've got information about a business now open in Darien, please post it here and tell the rest of us.

If you're looking for gas, this list may help.

Update 10:35 a.m.:

Excerpt from a letter to the editor published today, but read the whole thing:

My daughter and I had such a rewarding experience as we drove from power utility truck, to tree truck around town with hot coffee, muffins, apples. We met hardworking crews from as far as Missouri and the Carolinas who were incredibly appreciative. Even the Darien police along side them didn’t have opportunities to grab lunch, so we added them to our food chain.

It would be so great if people would bake cookies, buy bagels, doughnuts and most especially a box of coffee and drop them off mid-morning or late afternoon—they work till 9 p.m.!

Update 10:28 a.m.:

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's news releases have a lot of Sandy-related information. This Web page is a good place to browse throuth them. Here are links to some of the latest:

Update 10:19 a.m.:

The National Weather Service's Darien-specific forecast throgh Tuesday (for the entire seven-day forecast or for later updates, click here):

  • Saturday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 50. Northwest wind around 17 mph.
  • Saturday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 35. Northwest wind 15 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.
  • Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 48. Northwest wind 11 to 15 mph.
  • Sunday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 31. Northwest wind 10 to 13 mph.
  • Monday: Sunny, with a high near 50. North wind around 9 mph.
  • Monday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 34.
  • Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 47.
  • Tuesday night: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Update 10:11 a.m.:

Darien CL&P customers without power: 45 percent (3,563) as of 10:09 a.m. In Connecticut as a whole: 104,721 (8 percent).

If that seems to you like Darien is part of a stubborn pocket where power restoration has been slower, you'd be right. Fairfield County's got the worst of it, although only Westport, Ridgefield and New Fairfield have a higher percentage out of power.

Update 10:03 a.m.:

The Connecticut Insurance Department now has a Web page with links for those dealing with insurance claims after Sandy. Here's what the department says at the top of that page:

"The Insurance Department is providing this dedicated “Storm Sandy” page featuring important resources for consumers and the industry.

"The page will be updated with contact information, bulletins regarding claims process and other issues that may be activated during and after the storm.  '

"The Insurance Department will help keep consumers in touch with their insurers and work closely with state and federal officials to quickly get adjusters to damaged areas. Be safe, be smart and be sure you are protected."

 

Update 12:08 a.m., Saturday:

Some events this weekend in Darien that Storm Sandy failed to stop:

Jr. League Tag Sale Sun.Benefits Community Projects (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

KEYS Jazz Concert still on! Now at Talmadge Hill Church (8 p.m., Saturday)

 

FRIDAY

Update 9:20 p.m., Friday:

Darien Patch blogger Julie du Pont writes that she's grateful for quite a few things during the storm and after:

"I normally write blog posts about food.  But after spending the last several days without power or heat, I thought it might be worthwhile to say a thank you to all the wonderful people in and around the Darien community who have made my family's life and maybe your family's life just a little bit easier in these trying times.

"I know there is a great deal of frustation about the pace of our power return, but I've watched many who have shown a great deal of patience, kindness and dedicated professionalism throughout this whole mess.  I'm trying to focus on that. 

"So here it goes: ..." [more]

Update 8:08 p.m.:

Part of an email just received: "This is Baird from Darien Social.  We are still without power but have all intentions of opening tomorrow [Saturday] with the band "Remember September." If we have power we will open. [...] Our hope is with power we can provide some relief from the "stuck-at-home" life we have endured.  We will run specials, and just hope to get the Darien locals to come out and get back to life as usual. [...] These are difficult times and we all need to push on."

Update 3:39 p.m.:

Here's what Superintendent Stephen Falcone says about whether or not Darien Public Schools will be open Monday. It's not a simple answer, but here are all the essential elements:

"At this point, if certain conditions are met, our intention is to open schools Monday with a 90-minute delay.  We will only open schools on Monday if:

  • All school buildings have full power and are free from any storm-related safety concerns.  We will not open any schools until all are fully functional.
  • All school bus stops, and normal walking routes to school, are deemed to be free from any storm-related safety concerns.
  • All roads on which buses must operate are accessible and safe.

"If all of these conditions are met, our plan would be to open school on Monday, Nov. 5 with a 90-minute delay.  It is also important to note that we return to Eastern Standard Time on Sunday at 2 a.m., meaning that your clock goes back one hour."

Long version (the full statement) here:

Update 1:59 p.m.:

First Selectman Jayme Stevenson has just announced she will hold a post storm briefing for the public at 6 p.m. Friday (tonight) in the Darien Library Auditorium.

Update, 1:54 p.m.:

Darien Patch will not pubish any photos of childen on the street unless the person submitting the photo tells us there are no wires down on the street. It's just too dangerous to have kids out on some streets, and we don't want to encourage parents to allow it. If the street is free of wires, please note that when submitting the photo, either in the email or (if you're uploading directly), in a caption.

Update 1:25 p.m.:

The Darien Department of Public Works posted this notice on Patch: "The first leaf pick up scheduled for Monday, November 5th and Wednesday November 7th, have been cancelled. At this time pick ups #2 and #3 are the same. Check the Public Works page for updates."

Update 12:38 p.m.:

Sure, you can catch a train from Darien down into Manhattan, now, and you can do it for free. But can you get around Manhattan? There's bus service, but subway lines south of Grand Central Terminal are still out. Here's a PDF map and a close-up version of Midtown Manhattan (and a bit beyond)—attached to this article.

Update 12:03 p.m:

"Our Family Centers offices in Greenwich and Darien are open and are available for folks to charge electronic devices, get out of the cold or fill up water bottles," writes Family Centers/Center for HOPE spokesman William Brucker.

"Our team of mental health professionals can also provide counseling services for those coping with emotional stress caused by the storm," Brucker says. In Darien, Family Centers/Center for HOPE is located at 590 Post Rd. It is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., so there's plenty of time to go there this afternoon, and they'll be open again Monday morning.

Update, noon:

Darien police have posted this statement on their website (it's uncertain when it was posted, but the Darien Police account on Twitter has just linked to it):

The Darien Police Department is experiencing high call volume for storm related matters. The clearing of inaccessible roads is in progress. Efforts to restore power to the downtown area involves the repair of underground cables and circuitry, and broken utility poles that are not located on the Post Rd.

"We are currently monitoring restoration efforts and weather conditions to determine whether the Darien High School Shelter will be reactivated.  Thank you."  

 

Update 11:46 a.m.:

It wasn't the worst nightmare imaginable, but it was close enough: Kids were playing on a street with a downed wire. When a crew with CL&P line workers left the scene and power was restored, the wire sparked a fire. No one was hurt. Parents vowed they'd keep their kids well away from downed wires.

Update 10:02 a.m.:

As of about 6 p.m. yesterday, here was the pattern of Darien stores with and without electricity (for a fuller list and longer explanation, see this article):

WITH power: Downtown Darien from the railroad station along the Post Road to the Norwalk border. Chipotle restaurant appeared to be closed, whether or not it had power. The Noroton Heights shopping district had power. (Palmer's Market, in particular, didn't have a lot of refrigerated goods late Thursday afternoon, but they did have their muffins.)

NO power: With the following exceptions (and there may be more) downtown stores between the railroad underpass and the I-95 overpass were without electricity. Now here are the exceptions we know about, often with stores running on generators:

  • Darien Sport Shop has been open, 
  • Grieb's Pharmacy was due to open again today at 8 a.m.,
  • the Darien Liquor Shop on Tokeneke Road has been open but without power,
  • CVS has been using a large generator,
  • the Gulf station (Darien Auto Specialists) at the corner of Corbin Drive and the Post Road can sell you five gallons of gas at a time and has a few necessities.

Update 9:49 a.m.:

Service has resumed on the New Haven Line, regular schedule, and it's fare-free for now.

Update 9:40 a.m.:

All DMV offices and AAA sites, which also provide DMV services, have re-opened to the public (except for Bridgeport, which opens today). Customers may visit this DMV Web page for a complete listing of all DMV service locations.

Emissions testing is another story: Customers needing tests should first call their selected station to find out whether it's operating. A complete list of stations can be found here.

Update 9:26 a.m., Friday:

Darien customers still without power: 49 percent, or 3,889 customers as of 9:11 a.m. Among all of Connecticut Light & Power customers in Connecticut, 13 percent are without power, or 167,348.

Towns and cities with the highest concentrations of outages are in Fairfield County and along the coast. Stamford and Norwalk have a larger percentage back online, New Canaan is in worse condition.

 

THURSDAY

Update, 9:41 p.m., Thursday:

Still unanswered questions about First Selectman Jayme Stevenson's announcement to "officially" postpone Halloween in Darien to Wednesday, Nov. 7:

  • Why postpone trick-or-treating to a weeknight rather than a weekend, such as Saturday, Nov. 3 or Saturday, Nov 10? [No answer yet.]
  • Do you expect Darien electricity service to be fully restored, or essentially fully restored by Nov. 7? [No answer yet.]

Here are some other questions Darien Patch is waiting to ask Stevenson, some of which have been answered in Thursday's reverse-911 robocalls (the first request for an interview was made at 12:17 p.m.—we're not implying here that she's not too busy; we know she's very busy):

  • How many crews are now working on power restoration in town? At first we heard five, then 10 and this morning a Patch readers said he saw some from out of state. Answer: 12 at present
  • How many used the Darien Emergency Shelter overnight last night? [No answer yet.]
  • Are there still live wires down in Darien? Apparently: "New dangers now exist—as the power is restored, the chance for fire from exposed wires is extremely high."
  • When is service expected to be restored along the Post Road just west of the railroad underpass downtown? [No answer yet.]
  • When is service expected to be restored in the Noroton Heights shopping district? It was restored by Thursday
  • When is service expected to be restored to the Darien YMCA? It was restored.

Here are some questions from Patch reader David Grant (sent in Thursday morning):

  • Why are major intersection on Post Road (west of I-95) not signed or manned with officers? Went by the police station this morning at 8:45, five patrol cars parked in the lot.

3:45 p.m.

Here's the . Highlights include:

  • Darien has 12 two-man Connecticut Light and Power line and tree crews who are working with public works employees to get the town out of the dark;
  • 26 public and more than 22 private roadways remain inaccessible because of downed trees and wires;
  • The town will not be publishing lists of road closures
  • 58 percent of Darien currently is without power — about the same number as at 9:30 a.m. today and down from a high of nearly 100 percent early Tuesday;
  • The first municipal leaf pick up is cancelled;
  • Darien Library is open till 11 p.m. today and Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 9 p.m. Sunday;
  • The YMCA is open till 10 p.m. tonight for showers and recharging;
  • Elections will continue as scheduled. Any changes to polling places will be communicated.

12:31 p.m.

The following press released has been issued by STAR, a Norwalk-based nonprofit organization that serves people with developmental disabilities:

STAR’s 11th Annual Galaxy of STARS Gala, scheduled for this Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012  at Woodway Country Club in Darien, has been postponed due to Hurricane Sandy. No new date has been scheduled yet. 

STAR, Inc., Lighting the Way is a not-for-profit organization serving individuals fo all ages with developmental disabilities, as well as providing support services to their families. We create opportunities for individuals to live full lives with independence, freedom of choice and personal growth by providing support, services and advocacy. We inform and encourage the community to recognize and appreciate the value of all individuals.

To learn more about STAR, Inc., Lighting the Way, the gala, or to support STAR with a donation in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, please visit www.starinc-lightingtheway.org or call Katie Banzhaf at 203-451-6069.

11:33 a.m.:

Regarding the two posts just below, here's what Darien police say (short version):

"The Complainant indicated that he was in his backyard cleaning up storm debris when he was approached by a male subject purporting to be a FEMA representative.

"The subject asked the homeowner if he could go inside the home to assess damage caused by the storm. The homeowner then asked for identification, and the subject immediately returned to his vehicle and departed traveling northbound on Cliff Avenue. [...]

"Residents are advised to always ask for identification when utility workers, government officials etc. arrive at their homes or businesses unexpectedly. If still uncomfortable with the situation, police should be called."

Here's the long version:

Police: Watch Out for Man Purporting to Be a FEMA Representative

Update 11:02 a.m.:

Regarding the report in the 1O:44 a.m. post below, Darien police still cannot be reached for comment. A call to the non-emergency phone number is met with a recording saying that there's high calling volume. A telephone message has been left with a spokesman.

Update 10:44 a.m.:

The New Canaan Office of Emergency Management has posted this notice to its Facebook page. Darien Patch is trying to confirm it with Darien Police directly:

"Darien Police are reporting a white man in his 40's is posing a a FEMA agent. He is driving a maroon SUV. Please do not allow people you do not know into your home. Please do not answer questions, please ask for ID and call the New Canaan Police Department with information.

"Yesterday we also requested that if someone calls you saying they work for an alarm company and want to know if you have power/need an alarm system - that you do not answer them. Please call the EOC with any information about these calls (including phone number if you can).

"We appreciate your help!"

Update 8:41 a.m.:

Darien Connecticut Light & Power customers without electricity: 4,492, or 57 percent.

 

Editor's note: For older updates, see Archives: Hurricane Sandy News Center for Darien

Latest Articles

Monday:

Sunday:

  • Letter: Darien Residents Keep Power-Restoration Crews Fed
  • Region Could Be Hit By Nor'easter This Week

Saturday:

  • Stevenson: Restoration Coming to Several Areas by Saturday Night
  • CL&P Exec: Restoration Efforts Have Been 'Very Strong' [Updated]
  • Cablevision Offers Sandy Credits
  • Fairfield Co. Sees Major Restoration Overnight
  • Where to Get Gas around Fairfield County
  • One Way to Say 'Thank You' to the Work Crews in Town
  • PHOTOS: Hurricane Sandy’s Destruction in the Northeast

Friday:

  • Stevenson: It's Safety First in Storm Recovery
  • A Local Shout Out to Those Who Have Helped Darien Residents During Hurricane Sandy (Julie du Pont's blog)
  • Electricity for Businesses on the Post Road (Carol Wilder-Tamme's blog, with information from state Sen. Bob Duff on CL&P work on Friday)
  • Darien Schools MAY Open Monday with 90-Min. Delay
  • Live Wire Sparks Fire Near Where Darien Kids Play
  • (ongoing article, continually updated)
  • CL&P: Polling Places Will Be Ready
  • Outages Linger in Fairfield Co.; Metro-North Back (regional Patch hub article, continually upated)
  • (ongoing article, continually updated)

Thursday:

  • Stevenson: 12 CL&P Crews in Darien; Election Polling Places TBD
  • I-95 Closed in Both Directions
  • CL&P: Polling Places Will Be Ready
  • Malloy Raises Questions About Utilities' Hurricane Sandy Response
  • Jr. League Tag Sale Sun.Benefits Community Projects
  • Police: Watch Out for Man Purporting to Be a FEMA Representative
  • Feds Vow Support in CT Following Sandy
  • Darien YMCA Open: Need a Shower?

Wednesday:

  • PHOTOS: Hurricane Sandy in Connecticut
  • Communities Come Together After Disaster (Oct. 31) Lisa Bigelow's "Patch Back" opinion column
  • Malloy: Power Outages are Taxing Residents' Patience
  • Malloy Touring Hurricane Sandy-Damaged Areas Again Today

 

(For earlier articles and articles about storm preparation, see Archives: Hurricane Sandy News Center for Darien)

______________________________________________________________________________

 

See Also

  • Darien Public Schools policy on closing schools due to the weather (PDF document attached to this article) — Schools are closed on Monday and Tuesday
  • Connecticut Light & Power outage map. If you click on the tabs at the righthand side of the page, you'll be able to see a list with customers without power for each city or town.

______________________________________________________________________________

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