Irene's Effects and Closures in Woodbury/Middlebury [Updated]

Update: 4:00 p.m.

CL&P is reporting a high of some 622,000 power outages at the peak of Irene. That sets a record, surpassing the 477,000 without power during Hurricane Gloria in 1985.

“In preparing for this hurricane, we were able to more than double the size of our workforce, said Jeff Butler, CL&P president and chief operating officer in a release.  “Now that it is safe for our crews to be out, we’re able to mobilize all of our available resources.  At the same time, we continue trying to get additional crews to expedite our efforts.” 

Butler said CL&P crews will be responding to outages in order of importance, where "restoring power to critical customers such as hospitals, police and fire departmwents will be a top priority."

Update: 3:30 p.m.

Middlebury Police are reporting some 60 to 80 incidents and road closures, both major and minor, throughout town. 

"Right now we have too many to even count," said Middlebury Police Dispatcher Roy. "We're still trying to assess."

Roy offered the following list of closures as the major ones affecting town:

• Park Road Extension between Route 63 and Three Mile Hill
• South Street by Interstate 84
• Crest Road
• Wires hanging at Route 64 and Charcoal Ave.

Police are urging residents to stay off the roads while cleanup is underway.

"We are urging residents to stay completely off the roads and stay inside for their safety," Roy said. "There are still another 60 or 80 [road closures and incidents] on the list that we're trying to deal with."

Original Story

As of 3 p.m. Sunday, with Irene's fury all but abated, more than 4,000 Woodbury and Middlebury residents were without power.

CL&P has been reporting massive power outages throughout the day, with a total of more than 600,000 customers without power as of 3 p.m. Middlebury had only 29 percent of residents without electricity, as compared to 64 percent for Woodbury.

Irene has also forced the Region 15 School District Teacher Workday scheduled for Monday August 29 to be cancelled. 

All schools and offices, including the District Central Office, will close. Only essential designated custodial personnel will be asked to report when it is safe to travel. Region 15’s first day of school is slated for Tuesday, August 30.

How did you fare in the storm? Do yo have pictures? Please share your experiences with us and your fellow resident!