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10/30/2017 12:00 AMShoreline towns are dealing with power outages, blocked roads, and school closures after a storm brought significant amounts of rain last night and continues to bring strong winds today.
Due to the storm, schools in Branford, North Branford, Guilford, Madison, Clinton, Old Saybrook, North Haven, and Westbrook are closed today. A post on the Branford Public Schools website said schools are closed due to extensive power outages and obstructed road conditions but that the district plans to resume normal operations tomorrow.
Significant flooding has been reported along the costal region. The Guilford Fire Department reported that firefighters responded to over 20 calls last night, ranging from downed power lines to electrical fires to a motor vehicle accident involving the transport of 10 priority patients.
Many residents and businesses across the shoreline are still without power. Eversource teams have been spotted across the shoreline and Eversource released a briefing at 12 a.m. this morning indicating that crews are out and trying to work to restore power.
“Our crews are working to restore 911s and completely blocked roads as a first priority,” said Eversource spokesperson Cathy Lezon. “We have damage assessors and wires down guards being dispatched to areas. In some situations, we will have to wait until the winds are safe to operate our bucket trucks. We will be working around the clock tonight and tomorrow until we restore all customers.”
Officials in Guilford said Eversource has advised the Town of Guilford that, “they are still working to de-energize downed wires and trees blocking roadways. At this time restorations estimates are not available. They hope to have restoration estimates later this evening.”
Police and emergency officials across the region are asking residents to avoid the roadways if possible as crews work to clean up the area. Additionally, residents are warned to stay far away from any downed power lines because the line could still be live. The Guilford Police department has told residents to avoid the lines and to call and report any fallen lines to the electrical company according to a department release:
“Sometimes the power lines are hidden. If you are approaching an area on foot and start to feel your legs tingle, walk away immediately. Electricity can carry through the ground especially due to the wet conditions. Crews are working hard to open the roadways and we appreciate your patience.”