Stevenson: Restoration Coming to Several Areas by Saturday Night

Authorities have reported that the impact of Hurricane Sandy is three times more destructive than Hurricane Irene. 

Power restoration is steadily improving throughout today.  As of 4 p.m., 67 percent of customers have power restored including the downtown area. 100 percent restoration is estimated for Tuesday, Nov. 6 by 11:30 p.m.  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 Downtown area by 6 p.m.

• Approximately 325 customers in the area north and west of Middlesex Road by 8 p.m.

• And approximately 250 customers in the Mansfield Avenue and West Avenue corridors by 8 p.m.

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 can reopen, 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 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., the YMCA is open to the public Sunday from noon to 5:45 p.m. 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.