Crews continue to tackle severe storm damage. Accumulated ice and wind gusts brought down tree limbs onto power lines and caused outages. We’re working to restore power as quickly and safely as we can. If you see a downed line always stay away call and 9-1-1 immediately. pic.twitter.com/djgpSPPDFs
— Eversource CT (@EversourceCT) January 21, 2019
More than 8,400 Eversource customers in the state were without power Monday morning, including nearly 1,200 in Beacon Falls, Naugatuck and Prospect.
“We were doing all right until today,” Prospect Mayor Robert Chatfield said.
Chatfield said a tree fell along Route 69 at about 9 a.m. Monday, taking down a major power line along the road. He said many people on the Bethany side of town are without power as is much of Cook Road.
As of 9:30 a.m., Eversource reported that 756, or 18.23 percent, of customers in Prospect were without power.
Prospect Town Hall, 36 Center St., is open for a warming shelter.
A winter storm brought an icy mix of snow and rain on Sunday and a flash freeze, leaving trees and wires covered in ice and leading to some falling due to the weight.
“This was a good old fashion Prospect ice storm that many people in town have not seen,” Chatfield said.
Chatfield said dozens of Eversource crews are in town and the surrounding area working to restore power.
In Naugatuck, 418, or 2.89 percent, of customers didn’t have power Monday morning.
Beacon Falls fared better, as the utility reported 24, or 0.86 percent, of customers didn’t have power Monday morning.
Beacon Hose Company No. 1 Fire Chief Brian DeGeorge said there was no more than 40 or 50 outages in town at a time during the storm.
DeGeorge said the company responded to 30 plus calls during the storm, but many were to assist the street department with debris in the roads.
In a press release issued Sunday, Eversource said employees and contractors have restored power to more than 22,000 customers since the storm began and are working non-stop to repair damage caused by the storm.
The company urged customers to always stay clear of downed wires and to report them immediately to 911. Customers can report an outage online at www.eversource.com or by calling 800-286-2000.
