Shelton residents could be without power for another two to five days, according to Director of Emergency Management John Millo.
That’s his own assessment. United Illuminating crews haven’t been able to tell the city when the power could be back on.
“They’re not even telling their liaisons,” Millo said Wednesday morning. “There’s no estimate from them. But we’re just figuring, based on past experience, it could be another two to five days.”
Millo said UI crews have been in the “making safe,” mode, which means clearing trees from power lines, de-energizing the lines and clearing the way to start fixing power lines.
He hasn’t received word on when the power restoration process would begin in Shelton.
About 42 percent of UI customers have been without power since the storm hit.
That’s about 7,000 people, who are now running out of food, water and ice supplies.
“People need to make themselves ready” for more days without power, Millo said.
Rations
For the second day, Echo Hose ambulance crews are handing out ice, water and food supplies at the Shelton Community Center at 41 Church St. today (Aug. 31) until 7:30 p.m.
More than 100 families picked up supplies Tuesday between 4 and 7 p.m., according to assistant ambulance chief Joe Laucella.
They now have a large freezer trailer to store ice, being collected from businesses in Shelton in the Valley who have power and ice makers.
“We’re going to start stockpiling the ice and making it more available to residents,” Laucella said.
Local fire departments and businesses with power have been donating ice for Shelton to distribute, Laucella said.
The community center is also open for showers and for people to charge cell phones and laptops. The community center will be open for residents from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Residents should bring identification with them.
Criticism
On the fourth day without power, United Illuminating is starting to take heat from officials still waiting for the power to be restored.
Shelton Mayor Mark Lauretti criticized the communication with UI on WICC and WPLR Wednesday morning.
The city issued a press release that reiterated the frustration with lack of communication.
Derby’s director of emergency management, Charles Sampson, and U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro also questioned lack of information and response.
Millo was more understanding.
“This was a massive storm,” he said Wednesday. “What are you going to do?”
He said UI expects to issue a statement sometime Wednesday outlining when people can expect their power to be back on.
“As of right now, I don’t know,” Millo said. “Nobody knows. Not even the commissioner of homeland security.”
