More Than 6,100 Newtown Homes Remain Powerless

NEWTOWN, CT — More than 6,100 Newtown residents or 53 percent of the town remain powerless as of Friday afternoon, according to the latest numbers from Eversource.

Utility officials have said that power may not be fully restored to everyone until the end of Tuesday.

In a letter posted on the town's website, top officials wrote:

"Our Emergency Management Team is working with Eversource to coordinate opening roads
that are completely cut off by downed trees and wires and then to open roads with obstructions.

"Although resolving blocked roads is our primary focus for life safety reasons, meaningful restoration is being incorporated to the maximum extent possible. Check with Eversource for an estimate for your specific power restoration. Again, based on the extent of the damage to our community, and the lower but increasing number of Eversource crews responding here in Town, it is reasonable to assume complete restoration of power may still take several days.

"We continue to put pressure on Eversource until this is resolved. The Emergency Management Team remains in constant contact and will reconvene every day and provide additional updates.

"Newtown’s First Selectman and the Emergency Management Office continue to urge residents to be safe and stay informed.

See information below regarding charging, Wifi, water, showers, dumpsters.

Storm Debris: The Town of Newtown hopes to begin its curbside pickup and removal of storm generated debris sometime on or after August 17, 2020. Only trees, limbs and similar storm debris from the August 4th event is FEMA reimbursable. Once it begins, it is our intention to complete this task within a three week period. The property owner is to place all August 4th debris to be removed within 10 feet of the curb. The debris is not to extend over the curb into the roadway. Roadway intersections and driveway site lines are “NOT” to be impaired by piles of debris. Finally, as a matter of safety both for the residents and the crews that will be doing this work, all residents should keep at least 75’ or more away from all crews and equipment. Injuries may be caused by flying debris or distraction. We want to keep everyone safe during this operation and complete it as expeditiously as possible.

Safety First:
Do not use outside cooking equipment inside.
Keep generator exhaust away from residence.
Stay away from power lines. Assume all power lines are charged and dangerous.
Use extreme caution when cleaning up storm debris. Storm damaged trees are very hazardous.
Do not drive through barricades and road closures.

Residents can come to locations listed below to seek relief/assistance

COVID 19 has not left us – please – Be sure to social distance, and wear a mask when you can’t. Masks required in public places with other people are required.

Cell phone/electronic equipment charging/WiFi

The Municipal Center, located at Fairfield Hills is open Mon thru Fri 7 am to 9 pm
Newtown Community Center at 8 Simpson Road at Fairfield Hills, Mon thru Fri 7 am - 9 pm
Newtown High School, 12 Berkshire Road, Sandy Hook Mon thru Fri 6 am to 9 pm
Cyrenius Booth Library parking lot behind building, 25 Main Street. https://chboothlibrary.org/

Be mindful that many residents may need this assistance; we may need to monitor and allocate time, as such your time may not be unlimited and we ask that you consider others. Also, please bring your own device adapter and charging cable, and power strip and/or extension cord, if possible.

Water
Fire houses – Sandy Hook, Hook and Ladder and Botsford – Fill from a hose, bring your own containers.

Park & Rec Garage (across from Reed School). Fill from a hose, bring your own containers.

Showers
Showers will be available at the Newtown High School, 12 Berkshire Road, Sandy Hook daily from 6 am to 9 pm. Please enter through the rear “glass” entrance nearest the gym/locker
rooms/showers – drive past the High School Building Main entrance and circle down to the right.

Dumpsters
Dumpsters will be available for food waste only, at the Botsford, Dodgingtown and Sandy
Hook Firehouses starting on Thursday August 6th

Special Health Needs/Questions

Contact Newtown Human Services, tel 203-270-4330 or e-mail natalie.jackson@newtownct.gov
Contact Donna Culbert, Newtown Health District, tel 203-270-4291 or e-mail
donna.culbert@newtown-ct.gov After hours tel 203-270-4200

We ask that you please check on any elderly or frail neighbors to be certain they are doing OK.

Important numbers and contact information:
If there is a Life Safety Emergency – call 911 Power outage – call
800-286-2000

Code Red – register at Emergency Management on the Public Safety page on the Town of Newtown’s website http://www.newtown-ct.gov/emer... or call 203-270-4370
for assistance;

Smart 911 – register at Emergency Management on the Public Safety page on the Town of
Newtown’s website http://www.newtown-ct.gov/emer...

Check the News tab on the Town website: www.newtown-ct.gov