Report by Paula Antolini
October 30, 2017 3:47PM EDT
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UPDATE from Bethel Public Schools, October 30, 2017 8:00PM EDT:
8:00 PM update on power in the Education Complex. There is a lineman on the scene. They are trying to restore power. We will wait until tomorrow morning to make a decision about closings. Hopefully they can make the repairs and we will be in session!
8:00 PM update: there is a lineman from @EversourceCT to fix power. Decisions to close school 10/31 will be made in the morning!
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UPDATE from First Selectman Matt Knickerbocker, October 30, 2017 4:38PM EDT:
STORM UPDATE
MONDAY, OCT 30, 2017
4:00pm
Last night’s powerful wind storm brought down numerous trees and power lines overnight. At daybreak this morning, about 800 Bethel homes were without power. Unfortunately, high winds continued to cause damage throughout the day, and as of 3:00pm this afternoon, the number of Bethel homes and businesses without power had climbed to about 2,100. Schools remain closed due to the number of roadways blocked with potentially live power lines.
CURRENT STATUS:
• As of this hour, Eversource is unable to give any restoration estimates. Based on damage assessments, some neighborhoods could remain without power for several days.
• If your power is out, please report your outage directly to Eversource at 800-286-2000. Eversource does not accept reports from town hall on behalf of residential customers. The company will only record residential outage reports directly from homeowners.
• There are still multiple power lines on the ground in various locations around town. BE SAFE! ASSUME ANY POWER LINE YOU SEE ON THE GROUND IS STILL “LIVE” AND DANGEROUS AND STAY FAR AWAY FROM THEM.
• If you have a home generator and need to use it, please make sure it has been properly connected to your home electrical system by a licensed electrician. DO NOT plug a home generator directly into your home’s electrical system without a properly installed transfer switch to isolate your home from the power grid. Without proper installation, your home generator could “back feed” the wires in your area and accidentally injure or kill a line worker.
• For homes that remain without power into tomorrow morning, Town Hall’s showers and locker rooms will be available for public use beginning at 9:00am, Tuesday, Oct. 31st. Please bring your own towels and toiletries.
Further announcements will be made by 8:00pm this evening concerning school status for Tuesday, Oct. 31st.
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Original Message from Bethel Public Schools, October 30, 2017 3:47PM EDT:
Dear Parents/Guardians –
Late this morning, a tree fell on Rockwell Road (between Hoyt and Plumtrees) and knocked out power to Berry School and Bethel High School. We just attended a meeting with the Director of Emergency Management and the First Selectman, unfortunately Eversource is dealing with issues throughout the state and has no restoration estimate.
Therefore, it is very unlikely that the repairs to restore electricity to the schools will be made by tomorrow. In addition, there are still a number of live wires and road closures. I know that this is highly inconvenient, but it is very likely that we will have to close schools tomorrow. I wanted to tell you as early as possible for planning purposes. I will send another update at 8:00 PM this evening to confirm plans for tomorrow October 31, 2017.
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