Vernon Cleaning Up After A Pounding From Isaias: Updates

VERNON, CT — Vernon residents woke up to the sound of generators, chainsaws and heavy equipment Wednesday and cleanup efforts from tropical storm Isaias kicked into high gear. Mayor Daniel Champagne declared a state of emergency in town.

As of 8:30 a.m., 8,038 homes were without power in Vernon and emergency management officials were warning it could be "multiple days" before power was fully restored in town. Eversource Energy had grounded its bucket truck crews well into the night because of residual high winds, officials said.

On Wednesday afternoon, town officials said Eversource is reporting it may be up to 48 hours before it can give estimates on restoration times.

"The Town of Vernon is continuing to strongly advocate for our residents with Eversource, including the prompt clearing of roadways and restoration of power," officials said in a statement released Wednesday afternoon.

The outage number had increased to 8,076 by 1:27 p.m. At 4 p.m., it was 7,640.

The impact from Isaias, in terms of power outages, is greater than Superstorm Sandy in 2012, Eversource officials said Wednesday afternoon.

Operating under its "COVID-19 pandemic plan" and adhering to "strict social distancing, hygiene and enhanced sanitation measures to safeguard the health and well-being of workers and customers," Eversource crews began working around-the-clock shifts Wednesday, utility officials said.

Several homes were hit by trees and several large trees were still across roads on Wednesday. Department of Public Works crews were busy at least dragging them to the sides of roads to get traffic flowing.

Poles were snapped in half throughout town. An air conditioning duct was blown off the Vernon Police Department. Windows were blown out at the Circuit Cellar building adjacent to Rockville Superior Court. A mobile home on Kelly Road was crushed by a tree.

Rockville General Hospital and the regional wastewater treatment plant were both operating on generators Wednesday morning.

It was all all hands effort by town departments through the night and into the morning. Even the chief of police and the police captain were taking calls.

First responders handled 177 calls between 3 and 11 p.m. Nearly all of the calls were storm-related, police said. .

There were no reports of any storm-related injuries.

As of Wednesday morning there were 25 blocked roads reported.

Vernon officials said every effort would be made to maintain regular trash and recycling pickups. Free school meals were being served Wednesday at Vernon Center Middle School, despite the serving tents being mangled by high winds.

Officials said to call 911 only to report an emergency. Residents should assume all downed wires are live, authorities said. Resident should report downed wires or any odors of natural gas to 911. To report outages, residents can call Eversource at 800-286-2000 or online at:

• www.eversource.com<http://www.eversource.com

Authorities said when using generators, residents need to keep them outdoors and at least 10 feet from a home.

The Town has established debris collection points for Vernon residents on Nye Street and the Vernon Transfer Station on Hockanum Boulevard. The transfer station was to be open during normal business hours Wednesday and no punch card will be needed for debris drop-offs.

The town will be opening a cell phone and mobile device charging station for Vernon residents on Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Henry Park gazebo at 120 South Street. Residents must bring their own chargers and are responsible for their own devices. All current public health protective measures including social distancing will be required at all times.

Champagne, who has been on duty since the onset of the storm, posted an emergency declaration Wednesday afternoon: