Connecticut Light & Power crews started clearing trees from power lines in Seymour Tuesday morning, according to emergency management director Tom Eighmie.
The crews will return Wednesday to continue work on tree removal, Eighmie said.
There were 27 roads that had trees tangled in wires. Some of those roads were closed, while others are open for traffic, with parts cordoned off, Eighmie said.
Eighmie spoke to the Valley Independent Sentinel between meetings, and said he didn’t have the full list on hand at the time.
Despite the efforts, Seymour remained entirely without power Tuesday.
According figures from CL&P, 100 percent of the customers were without power at about 8 p.m.
But the town started getting phone and Internet service back, as AT&T and Comcast crews worked in town, Eighmie said.
“It went from nothing to something,” Eighmie said.
Late Sunday
While CL&P crews have been working in town, there is still no estimate on when the power might be restored to residents in Seymour.
Eighmie said a best guess is at least three to four more days.
“And we’re talking guessing,” Eighmie said.
Shelter
Seymour announced Tuesday that schools would be closed on Wednesday and Thursday because of the power outages.
The town continued to operate its emergency shelter at the Seymour Middle School, 211 Mountain Road.
Eighmie said about 30 people stayed overnight on Monday, and the town expected more to stay overnight on Tuesday.
Throughout the day Tuesday, more than 200 people went to the shelter to take advantage of the warmth and the showers.
There is also food at the shelter, some of which was being donated by or bought with donations from area companies, Eighmie said.
“It’s showing to be a community effort,” Eighmie said. “I’m very happy with the shelter.”
There was an electronic device charging station at the shelter, and another one was set up at the police headquarters on Franklin Street. The police headquarters also had water available from a faucet and hose outside the building.
Safety Precautions
Eighmie said the fire department continues to respond to reports of carbon monoxide alarms in homes — caused by carbon monoxide getting into homes from portable generators.
He reminded residents to keep the generators outside, and away from the house, with the exhaust pointing away from the home.