Hurricane Sandy Info For Middletown

Like Middletown Patch on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for the latest updates from town and state officials, utility companies and your residents. For specific questions, ask them on our Facebook page, here in the comments section, or Tweet them using the hashtag #ctsandy and we'll answer them the best we can. Here's all you need to know about Hurricane Sandy.

7:21 a.m. Tuesday: Middletown Emergency Management says curfew still in effect until 8 a.m. Four percent of CL&P customers citywide are without power — 1,072. City Hall will be closed Tuesday regular business. Non-essential employees are asked to remain at home.

9:31 p.m. 1,666, or 7 percent of Middletown customers are without power.

8 p.m.: 8 percent of CL&P customers, 2,012, are without power. Wesleying.org., the Wesleyan University student-run blog, has a post and photograph of a pine tree that damaged a car. Read more here.
 

7:20 p.m.

1,324 CL&P customers are without power. Check out the latest figures here. 

From our Facebook page, residents are reporting power out — and still on.

• Jane: Lost power south end, bartholomew at 5 pm
• Wendy: Just lost power on Laurel Street...near Bow Lane and Silver Street
• Michael: So far so good here
• Ruth: East Hampton lost it about an hour ago
• Ali: We are flickering here in Cromwell
• Carie: Afraid to jinx it, but we still have it here in Middletown
• Jon: We are out
• Barbara: We have power
• Jeannine: Westbrook flickers here and there
• Jon: But beer is helping substantially
• Molly: got it in West Hartford
• Sean: I do!
• Pennie: We've got it!
• Cassandra: I do near high street
• Judy: we've got it too!!
• Kathi: Have lost a few times for seconds, but have it for now
• Carolyn: We do!
• Phrances: Coleman Road has power

UPDATE: 6:20 p.m.

At the governor's 6 p.m. press conference, he said, "we are halfway through the storm, but the worst is yet to come." State employees will know by 10 p.m. Monday if they are to report to work Tuesday. "If you lose power, it will be out for a long time," Malloy said.

In Middletown, according to CL&P, 273 homes are without power, or one percent of customers.

Rep. Matthew Lesser (@mattlesser) is reporting on Twitter: Power lines on fire, corner of Maple shade and Randolph roads in Middletown. Just before 6 p.m., he reported , "About sixty people and one pet at Middletown High shelter right now."

Original version

In a Monday afternoon press conference, Mayor Dan Drew urged residents who have medical issues — those on oxygen, ventilators or other medical equipment — to head to the Middletown High School emergency shelter on LaRosa Lane as a proactive measure, regardless if they have lost power.

The most intense portion of Hurricane Sandy is expected to hit Middletown beginning Monday at midnight, the mayor said, and continue through Wednesday morning, with a potential for wind gusts up to 90 miles per hour and minor flooding.

"Winds will be happening at a level and consistency we're just not used to here," Drew said. He urged residents, including children, to stay inside to prevent a potential for danger to them and to emergency personnel who may be called up on the rescue them — and issued an 8 p.m. curfew.

"There's just no reason for people to be out unless they're dealing with a medical situation or they have to assist a family member," Drew said. "Police will be enforcing the curfew.

For a ride to the shelter, citizens are urged to call Middletown Area Transit at (860) 965-5924 or the 211 info line. For power outages, call CL&P at 611.

He stressed the shelter is open to all who wish to come by, and folks should bring a three-day clothing supply, blankets, pillows and a sleeping bag. The shelter capacity is 700 people, but only 100 cots are available right now, although more are on order, according to Emergency Management Director Bruce Driska.

Again, generator and grill cooking safety was stressed by Middletown Fire to avoid carbon monoxide problems or potential fires.