UPDATE 9 a.m.
A little more than one percent of the community is without power this morning following a blizzard that dumped nearly three feet of snow in some areas of town.
According to CL&P data, Cheshire has 179 customers without power, representing just over one percent of the community. The utility giant is reporting that across the state, 37,493 customers are without power this morning, with the southwest corner suffering the most damage. Old Lyme, Lyme and North Stonington each have more than 70 percent outages and both Waterford and Stonington are reporting outages in excess of 50 percent.
Multiple residents this morning have reported damages to their property as a result of the blanket of snow that came Friday into this morning. Some town property, such as the Cheshire pool bubble, have also suffered slight damage, local officials said.
Cheshire police reported that there were several disabled vehicles of people who attempted to travel through the conditions and several small accidents overnight, but no injuries related to the storm.
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has issued a no travel ban throughout the state until further notice this morning. Malloy said that although the state fared well given the amount of snowfall, it is essential to let plows clear the streets before populating them with vehicles.
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UPDATE: 12:30 a.m.
Despite accumulations totaling more than a foot in areas and wind gusts measured in excess of 30 miles per hours, according to the National Weather Service, Cheshire has faired well.
Officials said plows have been able to remain on the roads and are hopeful that it will not take long to get the town back to functioning as normal once the storm subsides on Saturday.
The even better news - power has been restored to all of the original 30 homes and as of 12:30 a.m., Connecticut Light and Power reported just two outages in the entire community. Across the state, 36,166 total CL&P customers were without power with North Stonington and Waterford each reporting a greater than 70 percent rate of outages.
UPDATE: 8 p.m.
The strong winds and heavy snows have made travel difficult and led to several accidents in the community, Cheshire police reported, but there have been no serious accidents and for the most part, roads remain clear of vehicles which has allowed the Public Works Department to keep up with snowfall.
Despite the inclement weather, CL&P lines continue to hold well against the storm although some in the community are not without power.
Just 30 customers, or 0.27 percent of the community, is currently powerless and is lines continue to hold through the night, CL&P is hopeful that crews will be able to address the problem on Saturday. Statewide there are 19,000 without power at the moment, according to the CL&P data chart.
UPDATE: 3 p.m.
Governor Malloy has signed the attached travel ban for limited access highways, effective at 4 p.m. today until further notice. The ban does not apply to emergency response and recovery vehicles, including public safety vehicles, utility vehicles and vehicles carrying essential personnel or supplies.
ORIGINAL STORY
Snow has already started building up and with heavier downfall and strong winds predicted to strike the Cheshire area around mid-afternoon, the town is closing departments in preparation.
According to a press release from the Cheshire Town Manager, all non-essential departments and Cheshire Town Hall will close at 1 p.m. Friday and employees sent home to get out of the storm.
The following will also take effect:
Parking Ban: There is a parking ban in effect from 8:00 a.m. Friday, February 8, 2013 until further notice to enable crews to clear roads.
Senior Center: There is no transportation service today, the elderly nutrition program and all activities and programs are cancelled for today. Also, the Widow & Widowers Group scheduled for Sunday, February 10, 2013 has been cancelled.
Parks and Recreation: All activities are cancelled for today. All activities including Therapeutic Recreation are cancelled for Saturday, February 9, 2013. Morning and afternoon activities for Sunday, February 10, 2013 are cancelled.
Community Pool: Information will be posted here if the Pool closes early today, at 1 p.m. The Pool will be closed tomorrow, February 9, 2013.
Artsplace: All activities for today and tomorrow, February 9, 2013, are cancelled.
Library: The Library will be closing at 1:00 p.m. today.
The Yellow House: All Friday events have been cancelled.
If there is a long-term, widespread power outage, the Town will open an emergency shelter. The primary shelter is at the Youth Center, and if a larger facility is needed, the shelter will move to Cheshire High School. The CodeRED Emergency Notification System will be used to notify the community if a shelter is opened.
Residents are asked to please use 911 FOR EMERGENCIES ONLY.
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