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NEW CANAAN, Conn. Hurricane Irene has yet to make landfall in Connecticut, yet it is causing major damage throughout town and more than half of New Canaans residents are without power Sunday morning.
Emergency Management Director Michael Handler informed residents at 8 a.m. that the curfew order issued at midnight remains in effect. That curfew orders all pedestrians and vehicles off the streets except in cases of emergency. Even New Canaan Police officers have been pulled from the roads because of high winds and heavy rain. Handler said fire and emergency calls are being responded to on a case-by-cae basis, depending on severity of the case and accessibility.
The winds have toppled trees and power lines all over town. Connecticut Light & Power reports that more than 5,200 customers, or 62 percent of the town, are out of power as of 9 a.m.
Downed wires are live and are unattended and unmarked, Handler said. Do not approach downed wires as they are extremely dangerous. Stay indoors.
Its unlikely that residents will be headed anywhere. Gov. Dannel Malloy has closed the Merritt Parkway to all traffic. Truck traffic is also prohibited on all state roadways. According to the state Department of Transportation, Route 123 is closed at Michigan Road because of a fallen tree.
How are you riding out the storm? Let us know by leaving a comment below or telling us on Facebook. Send you Hurricane Irene photos to reporter Melvin Mason at mmason@thedailynewcanaan.com.
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