STORM LOG: Tuesday

By The Ridgefield Press on October 30, 2012 in Latest Local News · 1 Comments

4:55 — Now 9,681 Ridgefield CL&P customers, or 90%, without power.

4:22 — Power is starting to be restored. Though the light at Route 35 and 7 was not restored within an hour, by now power is reportedly on from the Starbucks and Baskin Robbins to at least the Shell station and light at Farmingville Road and the light at Limestone Road. Some Fox Hill condo residents now report having power as well.

1:40 — CL&P told police the light at Route 35 and 7 will be re-energized within an hour. It’s possible power may come on elsewhere as well.

1:23 — Stateline gas station is open and pumping gas. Stateline gas station has gas but must be accessed from NY. Use Peaceable and Old South Salem Roads.

11:37 — CL&P expects to have five line crews here at some point today, first selectman says.

11:31 — Rec Center shelter is open with partial power from generator, has “limited charging,” but travel still hazardous. “I understand people wanting to get out,” he said, but “it’s really more than social networking.”

11 — Rudy Marconi reports schools are closed the rest of the week.

10:50 — Woman reported hit by branch on Rustic Road.

10:45 — Internet access back: Note that Ridgefield Hardware and Planet Pizza are open.

8:45 — Gov. Malloy said Tuesday morning that the storm has passed as the state and town moves into cleanup mode. A wind advisory remains in effect for the area through 6 p.m. Tuesday as Sandy makes its way out of the region. Winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph, according to the National Weather Service. The strongest winds are expected Tuesday morning. ”Trees and branches weakened by earlier hurricane-force wind gusts could still be downed,” the weather service warns. “Loose objects could be blown about.” There is a chance of more showers this afternoon. But the high is supposed to be in the low 60s with some high wind gusts. Tonight, winds are expected to die down and temperatures are expected to fall into the mid to upper 40s with possible light rain. Wednesday and Thursday are expected to have some more rain and be cloudy. But the sun expected to return by Friday. —J.F.

8:30 — The ban on driving on state limited access highways was lifted at 8 a.m. Tuesday by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy. Malloy limited travel to emergency vehicles Monday. Even with the ban lifted, Malloy ordered caution and local officials are asking residents to stay home. “Use your heads when it comes to driving. If a road appears impassable because of water, downed wires, fallen trees or other debris, do not attempt to drive through it,” Malloy said.

8:04 — Large tree reported down on wires on Mimosa Ct.

8:03 — Florida Hill Road reported blocked by a tree that took out power lines near Shad Blow.

8:02 — Aspen Mill Road blocked by pole and wires down.

8:02 — Large tree across the road with wires at 328 Ridgebury Road

8:02 — South Olmstead Lane impassible near Cranberry Lane with tree on wires.

8:02 — Tree on wires at North Street and Titicus Court.

7:50 — Tree with wires blocking Ridgebury Road at No. 472

7:45 — Route 33, Wilton Road West, blocked near Wilton line.

7:36 — Police report a large tree has fallen on the antique “Little Red Schoolhouse” on West Lane.

7:35 — Some reports from police: Route 102 from Main to East Ridge closed. Bennett’s Farm Road, a mile in from Route 7, blocked by tree. Limestone Road, a mile in from Route 35, is blocked.

7:26 — Police report a tree across Danbury Road at Hulda Lane. Peter Fine adds, “cars are driving under in the northbound lane.”

7:25 — Route 35, South Salem Road, blocked by tree near east of Old South Salem Road. “Completely impassible.”

7:15 — While stretches of state roads may be open, most have blockages from trees down, say police. “We are telling everyone, ‘just stay home.’”

6:30 — Some area outage percentages at this time: Ridgefield, 100%; Weston, 99; Redding, 98; Darien, 91; Westport, 83; Wilton, 80; New Canaan, 67; New Fairfield, 64; Bethel, 62; Danbury, 60; Norwalk, 60.

6:15 a.m. — CL&P says about 469,000 customers in the state are without power. In the nor’easter snowstorm last year at this time, 809,000 were without power.

5:30 a.m. — The entire town is without power. Ridgefield is the only town in Fairfield County with 100% offline, and among the worst-hit in CL&P’s Connecticut territory, although Redding, Weston, and Easton are in the high 90s in percentage out. Restoration of power may take a couple days to begin, First Selectman Rudy Marconi said late last night. While winds have decreased from Monday evening, there are still gusts and it’s still possible for limbs and trees to fall — stay inside, Mr. Marconi urged. A family whose Old Sib Road house was crushed by a tree “are all stable at the hospital,” he said. At least 75 roads are closed, quite probably more.