Norwalk Mayor Rilling: Eversource Communication 'Has To Improve'

NORWALK, CT — As Norwalk and the state continues to clean up a week after Tropical Storm Isaias, Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling had some choice words for Eversource as it relates to the utility company's poor response to the storm.

As of 6:30 p.m. on Monday, about 500 Eversource customers in Norwalk still did not have power, though all electricity customers of South Norwalk Electric and Water, and the Third Taxing District, had their power restored over by the weekend.

"I continue to be disappointed with the slow response time from Eversource," Rilling said. "The biggest issue during this storm and aftermath has been the total lack of communication from Eversource management. Surely more storms will hit Connecticut and this has to improve and improve fast."

The remaining 500 customers represent about 1.64 percent of the more than 31,000 homes and businesses Eversource serves in Norwalk. But as of Friday evening, three days after the Aug. 4 storm, more than 7,000 of the company's Norwalk customers were without power.

Statewide, more than 50,000 Eversource customers were still without power on Monday evening, and the company gave itself a Tuesday deadline of 11:59 p.m. to have virtually all of its customers back on the grid.

Norwalk public works crews continued to clear debris from roadways and municipal properties on Monday, and due to the overwhelming amount of debris, Norwalk's Yard Waste Site was nearly at capacity, according to Rilling.

"It will be at least two weeks before a city-wide yard waste collection will occur and more details will be announced shortly," Rilling added.

Norwalk's Yard Waste Site on South Smith Street is open this week from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays, and from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. A disposal pass is required.