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FAIRFIELD, Conn. Fairfield police are asking residents in the Fairfield Beach area who have not evacuated to leave now if possible. They expect storm surges from Long Island Sound to hit as far as the Old Post Road and to hit soon. As of 10:30 a.m., surges on Reef Road had already hit One Rod Highway, or a half mile inland.
Residents who choose to leave their homes can go to the towns emergency shelter at Fairfield Ludlowe High School. Pets are welcome, too. Police say 70 evacuees and 30 pets were already checked in by 6:15 a.m. Sunday. Shelter-goers should bring clothes, medicine and any paperwork they want to protect.
The worst of Tropical Storm Irene has not arrived yet, but it has already dealt plenty of damage to Fairfield. Two transformers blew overnight and many power lines are down. As of 10 a.m., 9,514 customers are without power in Fairfield, according to United Illuminating.
Flooding from the storm also closed North Benson Road and Mill Plain Road at their intersections with the Post Road. Water at the railroad viaducts on those two streets has made them impassable. Police have also closed 16 road portions already due to fallen trees:
? Elm Street near Dorking Drive
? South Pine Creek Road near Pine Creek Court
? Reed Road near Cummings Avenue
? Beach Road (northbound side) near Judson Street
? Post Road (eastbound side) near Shoreham Village
? Sasco Hill Road near Oldfield Road
? Barlow Road near North Benson Road
? Black Rock Turnpike (southbound side) near Poe Court
? Figlar Road near Jennings Road
? Oakwood Drive near Woodcrest Road
? Easton Turnpike near Glengarry Road
? Bronson Road near Sturges Road
? Cross Highway near Sturges Highway
? Cross Highway near Congress Street
? Congress Street near Heritage Road
? Black Rock Turnpike near Hemlock Road
Keep checking The Daily Fairfield for the latest Hurricane Irene updates.
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