Good evening everyone. This is Pat Llodra from the Selectman’s Office.
We are experiencing a storm of historic proportions for this time of year. There are significant power outages here in Newtown and across the state. At the time of this call we are at 65% outage. Cl&P has not established approximations for restoration. I will let you know when the power company does that assessment. Precipitation has slowed a bit now but is expected to increase again during the overnight hours, with winds picking up as the back end of the storm passes over the area. The weight of the snow is causing large branches and trees to break away and the wind is likely to exaserbate that condition.
Town highway crews supported by parks and recreation have been sanding and plowing since 2:30 this afternoon. That work will continue throughout the night. There are many, many roads impassable because of downed power lines. Town and Cl&P crews will work together on clearing those roads as soon as possible. As always, our first priority is safety and to ensure that all residents are accessible to emergency vehicles.
Given the possibility of trees and branches coming down with wires on roads we are not opening a shelter tonight. We simply do not want folks on the roads at all. We do ask that anyone with medical or health needs reliant on power that is in jeopardy please contact dispatch at 203-270-4200 or just call 911. Masonicare has graciously offered to serve folks with those needs and transport to that facility will be provided through our emergency services.
Tomorrow morning we will be meeting with our Cl&P liaison to begin the plan for power restoration. At that time we will develop an appropriate plan for sheltering once we have a better understanding of town-wide conditions.
I will update you again tomorrow. In the meantime, please be safe. Good night Newtown.
