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Powerless Eastonites Try to Keep Busy

EASTON, Conn. – Carly and Catie DeLorenzo were out riding their bikes Monday afternoon, checking out the damage around Church Road in Easton and begging crews to turn their power back on. The two had lost power around 4 p.m. on Sunday, when they thought they had made a clean getaway from Tropical Storm Irene.

Easton is not ready for power restoration crews, First Selectman Thomas Herrmann said Monday afternoon.

"Two to three days is a reasonable expectation to plan to be without power," said Herrmann. As of noon Monday, there were 42 trees on wires and 31 locations with trees on the ground, said Ed Nagy, public works director.

Herrmann said crews are currently making the downed wires and trees safe. Once United Illuminating makes the wires safe, its tree crews can take the trees off the wires. Then the town's crews will remove the wood from the streets.

The senior center lost power at 6 p.m. Sunday and was not connected to the town's generator as had been expected. As of noon Monday, there was still no power at the senior center. Herrmann said the emergency generator had not been properly tested and all circuits were not hooked up to it.

Superintendent of Schools Bernard Josefsberg said both Helen Keller Middle School and Samuel Staples Elementary School are running on generators and the middle school has wires down. Convocation Day for staff, scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 30, is likely to be canceled, said Josefsberg, and decisions on school's first day–Wednesday, Aug. 30–will be made as soon as possible. The decision will depend on the restoration of power, Josefsberg said.

How are you keeping busy today? Send your photos to shenry@thedailyeaston.com. 

 

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