The power restoration effort in Ansonia seemed to have ground to a halt Thursday afternoon.
At 4:15 p.m. Thursday, the percentage of United Illuminating customers without electricity was 9.2 percent.
That’s 781 UI customers — and it hasn’t changed much since 9 a.m. Wednesday.
Click here for the UI outage numbers.
When the lights will come back on for those still without power in Ansonia remains unknown, though the utility company issued a full restoration estimate of Monday for all customers.
“All of our priority facilities are powered and at this time they don’t know when those 716 meters will be addressed,” Ansonia Mayor James Della Volpe said Thursday afternoon. “They (UI) are focusing on restoration efforts at 27 priority locations — those include police stations, high school and shelters — in other towns. That’s what’s happening,” Della Volpe said.
The UI website shows 69 “events” in Ansonia — that is, problems that need to be addressed.
Residents who still don’t have power should call UI at 1 – 800-722‑5584.
While the situation is obviously unpleasant, annoying and borderline torturous for Ansonia residents without electricity since Monday, Ansonia — and neighboring Derby — are in better shape than most towns in the UI coverage area.
Ansonia City Hall has been fielding calls from residents who want to know when UI will restore power.
“They are starting to get frustrated,” Della Volpe said of his constituents. “We were told Thursday or Friday.”
Della Volpe said a meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday to discuss the power situation.
Re-opening a shelter is an option to be discussed.
“We’ll make some decisions as to what we can do to help these people out,” Della Volpe said.
When asked if he’s frustrated with UI’s performance in Ansonia, the mayor said:
“I’m being patient, but my patience is running out. I feel sorry for the elderly and for people with small children. It’s a difficult time,” Della Volpe said. “On the other hand, we also have to understand that this is storm that has never been seen before.”
Roads without power in Ansonia include Westfield Avenue, Rufus Street, Jackson Street and Meadow Street, according to readers on the Valley Indy Facebook page.
In the meantime, the Valley YMCA is offering showers and electrical outlets to people who need to charge electrical devices.
Here is information the Valley Indy published earlier Thursday:
The Valley YMCA at 12 State St. in Ansonia is open to families who need to use a shower or charge electronic devices such as laptops and cell phones.
YMCA officials ask that adults present a photo identification for security purposes.
The YMCA is open today through Friday from 5:30 a.m. until 9 p.m.
It is open from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday.
It is open from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.
The phone number is (203) 736‑1435.
