Schools Are Open, Halloween Is On For Monday In Madison!

As of 4:00 a.m. Monday:

About 820 homes and businesses were still without power, or about 9 percent of the town. Statewide, more than 760,000 were without power and entire towns were still entirely black. Check the CL&P outage map for more details.

The weather forecast? The National Weather Service says it should be mostly sunny Monday, with a high near 51, and calm winds becoming south around 6 mph. Tonight, it should be mostly cloudy, with a low around 39, and an east wind between 5 and 7 mph.

School is on and First Selectman Fillmore McPherson says he has heard of no plans to cancel Halloween in Madison, so trick-or-treating is on. The weather looks good for it, except for that lingering snow in North Madison. Patch readers on Facebook are reporting up to eight inches of snow in some neighborhoods.

Lynda, a Patch reader, reported in via email that she and her family just went with it; "We wanted to get into the spirit yesterday with the beautiful yet early snow...so I sent my husband to Walmart to get a tree and we put it up during the storm...My daughter Carina loved it!!!!!"

As of 9:15 p.m. Sunday:

Power has been restored to additional CL&P customers, and now 11 percent of the town is without power, down from 24 percent earlier Sunday. That means about 1,079 customers still waiting for power. Statewide, more than 773,000 are without power, or 64 percent of CL&P customers. Guilford had about 27 percent without power, Durham was 100 percent without power, and Clinton was 2 percent without power.

CL&P released this statement:

Damage assessments continue following the rare October nor’easter that left more than 831,000 customers without power.  The unusually wet, heavy snow on trees still full with leaves – creating tree weights twice the normal levels – created historic damage to the electrical system, particularly in the northwest and north central portions of the state.

Making good on a pledge following Tropical Storm Irene, within 12-14 hours after the end of the storm, CL&P has at least one crew assigned to the vast majority of affected towns, with a primary focus of coordinating with the town to address emergency situations and facilitate the reopening of roads by municipalities.  In addition, every town that has requested a town liaison has one now.

At present, CL&P crews are working with municipalities to clear blocked roads and identify problems areas.  There are currently more than 300 crews working (189 line and 114 tree crews) and 600 additional crews are committed to join the effort.  The company continues to request additional assistance, but with neighboring utility crews committed to their own restoration efforts the search is being expanded to unaffected regions of the country.

“It is important that our customers understand this restoration is going to take time – there are no quick fixes to the damage to the electrical system,” said Jeff Butler, president and chief operating officer at CL&P.  “Generally speaking, we are working with communities to clear roads in the northwest and north central portions of the state before we can begin restoration efforts.  We are working as quickly as possible to complete assessments and restore power to our customers.”

Damage from the storm was far more extensive than forecasted.  The Connecticut Department of Transportation estimates that tree damage is five times greater than Irene.  Peak outages were about 831,000 throughout the electrical system.  As of 8:45 p.m., service has been restored to more than 110,000 customers.

Unlike Tropical Storm Irene, CL&P experienced significant transmission outages in central and northwest Connecticut which have complicated restoration efforts.  Thirty specialized line crews are dedicated to address the most critical system problems:

·        44 transmission lines are out of service
·        21 of these transmission lines need to be restored to restore power to substations

“We are encouraging customers to be prepared for the worst case, which would be outages lasting more than one week in some of the areas,” Butler said.  “As we get through our damage assessments, we will be able to provide more specific restoration information for our customers.  While we expect most affected customers will be restored in less time, we are encouraging patience as we work as quickly and as safely as possible to restore power.”

For your safety, CL&P also reminds customers to NEVER touch a downed line and stay at least 10 feet away from all wires. Assume any downed, hanging or burning power lines are live and dangerous. Call 9-1-1 immediately with any emergency condition. If you are using a generator, make sure it has been installed properly and never use it indoors or in partially enclosed spaces.

To report outages or check the status of an outage, visit cl-p.com or call 800-286-2000.  Our automated phone and online systems can rapidly process your report and help us speed restoration efforts.

As of 8:55 p.m. Sunday

First Selectman Fillmore McPherson said Halloween trick-or-treating is on for Monday night in Madison.

"Power has improved to 14% w/o power," he said via email. "With schools open I see no push to prohibit ghosts and vampires."

CL&P said, via Twitter, "Over 300 CL&P crews are working across the state…over 600 more from as far away as Tenn and Missouri have already committed to help."

As of 5 p.m. Sunday

John Bowers, the town's director of emergency management, says the town's warming center at the town gym, at town campus, will be open until at least 9 p.m. and will stay open after that if anyone needs to stay overnight. If there are no overnight visitors, he plans to close it down around 9 p.m. and it will reopen at 7:30 a.m. for showers, warming, and for anyone who wants to charge their cell phone.

If anyone needs a warm place after 9 p.m., Bowers recommended they to go the police department, also at town campus, where a community room will be available.

Bowers said it is his understanding that a transformer off of Race Hill Road is a focus of CL&P's power restoration efforts, but he said he does not have any information as to how long it might take to bring it back online.

He also asked that people be safe about generator operation and to make sure that they are set up in a way so that they don't create problems with carbon monoxide in living spaces. "We know a lot of people have generators. That's fine. Hopefully they are helping their neighbors out."

He also asked that people who are without power to disable automatic fire and burglar alarms, so that they won't send through false signals when the batteries start to fade. "And stay away from downed lines, of course," he said.

From CL&P via Facebook at 6 p.m.

"We appreciate your patience and understanding during our storm restoration projections. Just so you know, this event differs from Tropical Storm Irene in that this storm has caused significant damage to our transmission lines, which are the lines that take power from electric generating plants and feeds it to the distribution grid that serves your home and/or business. We continue to assess damage, work in partnership with your town to clear blocked roads and restore power."

Update at 2:10 p.m.

Madison First Selectman Fillmore McPherson has sent out the following message about Winter Storm Albert via email and phone:

"Hello, this is Fillmore McPherson, your First Selectman, with an update on the October snow storm.

Currently, 19% of Madison residents are without power, almost all in North Madison, and CL&P crews are out working. The Town Gym is open if you need a warm place to go or you need to charge your cell phone. If you intend to spend the night, we have cots and blankets, but please bring any sheets, pillows, special dietary food, medicines, and toiletries that you may need. Downtown businesses have power and are open on their normal schedules.

Unlike the situation with Irene, there are no areas of town that are isolated because of downed trees and wires. Emergency services, such as fire, ambulance, and police, have clear access to everyone. This is always our top priority. There are a few spots in town that have partial blockages, so be careful if you are driving around.

I have spoken with the Acting School Superintendent and schools will open as normal.

I do not anticipate sending out any further updates. Thank you."

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Gov. Dannel Malloy's office issued this statement Sunday afternoon:

"Governor Dannel P. Malloy has requested an emergency declaration from President Obama to assist with clean up and recovery efforts for the record storm that hit the state yesterday.  If granted, the declaration would give the state access to direct federal assistance, as well as reimbursement for 75 percent of certain emergency protective measures.

“Connecticut is now in the very first stages of recovering from a storm of a magnitude and at a time of year that we have never experienced before.   Hundreds of thousands of households are without power or heat, travel conditions remain dangerous, and damage to our electric infrastructure continues,” said Governor Malloy. “I have asked President Obama for federal assistance, and I am urging Connecticut residents to stay off the roads, let tree and DOT crews get out there, clean up and assess the damage.”

As of 11 a.m. the non-emergency travel ban for the Wilbur Cross/Merritt Parkway has been lifted.  Nevertheless, the Governor continues to advise residents to stay off the roads to allow for road clearance and for power restoration crews to access the impacted areas. If you must travel, use extreme caution as there are numerous trees and power lines down across the entire state.

Residents seeking warming shelters or charging stations should contact 211.  Lists of shelters are being updated continually."

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Original Story:

First Selectman Fillmore McPherson said Sunday morning that town officials expect to open town hall at Madison Town Campus off of Duck Hole Road around noon, as a warming center and shelter for those who may be without power.

"We've checked and it appears at this time that all roads in town are open," McPherson said Sunday morning. He also said school officials are planning to have school Monday.

"So our emergency crews, fire and ambulance and so forth, can get through if they are able. Our next concern was that people have a place to go if they need to. So we plan to open town hall as an emergency center shortly before noon, so that people have a warm place to go to as well."

A Patch reader reported that power had been restored to her street, Twilight Drive. "Power just came back on here in N. Madison, Twilight Dr. N. of Rt. 80. about 10:30 a.m." Kimberly wrote.

AT&T suffered damage to cell towers, ability to receive and place calls may be affected

To get to the town campus, take the Hammonasset Connector from Route 1, go past the highway. The road then turns into Duck Hole Road. Town Campus is right off of Duck Hole Road on the right.

Both Clinton and Durham have opened emergency centers as well. Durham said Madison residents will not be turned away at their shelter, at the high school off of Route 17. See details below.

CL&P reported on Twitter Sunday morning: "Unprecedented damage from this storm. Please prepare for worst case scenario - a week or more without power. Call 211 for shelter info."

The Torrington Register-Citizen is reporting that AT&T suffered damage to more than 152 cell towers, creating problems with cell coverage statewide. So if you're having trouble placing a call, that may be why.

Historic storm creates more outages than Irene

Connecticut Light & Power spokesman Mitch Gross told WTNH-8 News that the outages resulting from a historic October snowstorm that hit the state Saturday has resulted in more power outages than Irene, which left many in the state without power for more than a week.

In the interview with WTNH, Gross did not give an exact estimate as to when power might be restored, but he said it would be "multiple days" More than 718,000 CL&P customers were without power early Sunday morning, or 58 percent of CL&P customers. Twenty-three towns were 100 percent without power, and 32 towns were 90 percent without power, many of those in the northwestern part of the state. The Associated Press is reporting that more than 2 million are without power from the mid-Atlantic states to New England.

In Madison, more than 2,180 people were without power Sunday morning around 8:15 a.m., or 24 percent of the town. Patch readers on Facebook reported power outages on Durham road near Rockland Preserve in North Madison, also on Bartlett Drive, Deepwood Drive, Hickory Lane, and Country Way. In Clinton at one point, more than 1,000 were without power and Clinton town hall opened as an emergency shelter for Clinton residents Saturday evening, but that number without power was down to 162 as of Sunday morning in Clinton.

Emergency shelter opening in Durham, Madison residents can go, but check road conditions before going out!

In Durham, more than 3,000 were without power and an emergency shelter was scheduled to open there at Coginchaug Reginonal High School at 9 a.m. Sunday. Residents served by that high school were encouraged to "Bring pets, get warm, eat, shower, charge cell phone or computer." Durham's emergency management department said on Facebook that Madison residents were welcome as well. "YES YOU CAN COME TO DURHAM. WE WILL OPEN AFTER 9AM. ROAD CONDITIONS ARE STILL PRETTY DIFFICULT. PLEASE BE SAFE!" Durham emergency management officials noted that some roads are completely blocked due to downed trees, limbs or power lines, making travel particularly difficult north of Madison.

Coginchaug Reginonal High School is at 135 Pickett Lane, Durham, CT, 06422. To get there, take Route 79 North/Durham Road to Route 17 North in Durham. Just before Strong Middle School on the right, turn right onto Pickett Lane. The high school is on the right of the drive in the back, Korn Elementary School is the smaller school on your left.

Power slowly being restored across the state

In Guilford, more than 2,900 were without power, or about 27 percent of the town Sunday morning.

An American Red Cross spokesperson said that Red Cross emergency shelters have opened in Danbury and Ridgefield, areas of the state that were particularly hard hit, but that no decision has been made to open other shelters at this time. Part of the concern, she said, is that Red Cross did not want to send their volunteers out at the height of the storm when driving conditions were dangerous.

The National Weather Service reported Sunday morning that temperatures near the freezing mark will result in slick travel conditions into Sunday morning. "This will result in icy spots on roads, sidewalks, and parking lots. If you plan to travel early this morning, be on the alert for slick conditions," the National Weather Service said. The extended forecast is provided at the end of this story.

"Help folks where you can ... check on neighbors."

NBC News was reporting Sunday morning that many of the main highways had been cleared, but that secondary roads remained problematic. They also reported that there was a foot to a foot and a half of snow in some areas of northern Connecticut. The Wilbur Cross and Merritt Parkways were closed to all but emergency vehicles by Gov. Malloy Saturday night. NBC News is streaming live on their website.

Madison resident and WTNH News Anchor Ann Nyberg made an excellent suggestion on Twitter: "Help folks where you can, so many are without power, don't forget to check with neighbors and friends and the elderly."

NBC Connecticut/WVIT Meteorologist Ryan Hanrahan reported on Twitter that, "Besides the 700k in CT... Northeast Utilities is dealing with 100k outages in western Mass and 200k in southern NH. Way worse than Irene."

WTNH-8 also reported on Twitter that: "Metro-North reports there will be regular Sunday service on the New Haven Line."

Amtrak reported on Twitter around 10:40 a.m. that: "Service suspended Boston (BOS) New Haven (NHV) Springfield (SPG) due to weather related problems." WTNH is reporting that MetroNorth is still operating and on time as of 10:40 a.m.

State of emergency declared Saturday evening

Governor Dannel P. Malloy  declared at 5:30 Saturday evening due to the severe winter storm that is affectingthe entire state. The governor's office said in a prepared statement that heavy snowfall on top of leaf -covered trees is causing widespread damage and power outages throughout Connecticut. 

"Residents should stay off the roads right now, let the road crews get out there and get things cleaned up," Governor Malloy said in the prepared statement late Saturday. "Streets are dangerous, power lines are down and we are seeing extensive tree damage with more to come as high winds enter the state.  We will begin the restoration and recovery phase as soon as possible, but right now I urge Connecticut residents to stay home and stay safe." 

The declaration provides the Governor with additional emergency powers that he may utilize in response to the storm. Earlier today, the Governor also issued a ban of all non-emergency vehicles on the Wilbur Cross/Merritt Parkways. Bus service in Danbury and Waterbury has been suspended and MetroNorth railroad is operating with delays.

Line crews working through the night to restore power

As of Saturday night, more than 200 CL&P line and tree crews are working to restore power to customers affected by outages and the company is in the process of securing additional help. "As was predicted, the heavy, wet snow is weighing down the trees and creating issues across the state," said Al Roy, CL&P's manager of Emergency Management said in a prepared statement. "Our crews and support staff continue to respond as the storm moves through and we are communicating with town and state officials to coordinate efforts."

CL&P will be assessing storm damage as soon as it is safe to do so. An estimate as to when power will be restored will be available once the assessment is complete.

In the meantime, CL&P reminded customers to:

• Stay away from all downed wires. Assume any downed, hanging or burning power lines are live and dangerous and call 9-1-1 immediately. If a power line falls on your vehicle while you’re inside, stay there. Don’t touch anything outside the vehicle and wait for emergency crews.
• Report your power outage by calling CL&P at 800-286-2000. Our automated phone system rapidly processes your report and helps us speed restoration efforts. It also provides restoration estimates as soon as they’re available.
• Before operating a generator, make sure it has been properly installed by a licensed electrician. Improperly installed generators can feed electricity back into power lines and pose a deadly situation for our line workers. Always operate generators outdoors to avoid carbon monoxide hazards.
• If you lose power, turn off your circuit breakers. This will help reduce the possibility of damage to sensitive electronic equipment once power is restored.

More information is available at the company website at cl-p.com, or Twitter @CTLightandPower and Facebook.com/CTLightandPower. Updates on outages can be obtained by texting “outage” and your zip code to 24612 (texting fees may apply).

Extended forecast from the National Weather Service:

Sunday: A slight chance of snow before 8am. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 47. North wind between 16 and 18 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Sunday night: Clear, with a low around 28. North wind between 6 and 11 mph.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 50. North wind at 6 mph becoming southeast.

Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37. East wind around 8 mph.

Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 53. Northeast wind between 14 and 16 mph.

Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 37.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 52.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 39.

Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 55.

Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43.

Friday: A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 54. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Saturday: A chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 55. Chance of precipitation is 40%.