When Will Power Be Restored In Redding?

REDDING, CT — Eversource missed the 4 p.m. estimated restoration time Thursday the utility had pledged, according to First Selectman Julia Pemberton, and she is not happy.

"Eversource executives responsible for this willful negligence will be held accountable. Regulatory agencies who fail to serve the people over powerful interests, will be held accountable," Pemberton posted to social media. "The anger I feel, as do many of you, at the conditions that remain in Redding as a result of Eversource's dereliction cannot be understated."

Around 95 percent of Redding residents are still without power and 25 roads are blocked by trees with wires as of Friday morning, according to Pemberton. Statewide, outages along the path of Tropical Storm Isaias have easily eclipsed those of Hurricane Sandy in 2012 and came close to rivaling those of the October snowstorm and Hurricane Irene in 2011. Eversource estimated it will make significant progress by the end of the weekend and have its restoration substantially complete across the state by Tuesday at 11:59 p.m.

The first selectman says that in addition to demanding the appropriate resources from Eversource, she has also reached out to the governor, Redding's Hartford delegation, and the Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security for some satisfaction.

The town has made a number of resources available to residents impacted by the storm:

The Redding Community Center is opening up the Community room with limited capacity for workstations under generator power, but no WiFi. Charging stations are available outside the building as well.

Drinking water is available from the bathroom sinks and the kitchen will also be available for drinking water only. Non-potable water is available from the outdoor hoses at town hall and the community center. A municipal employee will supervise the number of people entering the building at any one time. Residents who plan to stay and work in the community room will be asked to sign in, masks and social distancing requirements must be followed to gain access to the building.

Pemberton has advised residents that the Highway Department cannot work around wires, but may be called upon (203-938-2801) for trees that do not involve wires.