Road Closures and Homes Damaged in Cheshire

Cheshire has been relatively unscathed so far from the high winds and rain brought by Hurricane Irene. Still, Cheshire police report a number of incidents in town.

Lt. James Fasano wrote in an email statement around noon Sunday that Wallingford Road is closed due to down trees and power lines.

Highland Avenue (Rt. 10) reopened Sunday afternoon after it had been closed when a large tree near the Police Department fell across the town's main road.

Fasano also said two homes had minor damage from trees falling on them. The damaged homes are at Orelton Ct. and 297 South Brooksvale Rd. No was injured in either case.

Numerous power outages were also reported, according to police, in the area of Wallingford Road, Peck Lane and West Main St (RT 70).

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy gave an update at noon to reporters about statewide concerns and responses:

• 700,000 are without power in Connecticut, nearly 50 percent of CL&P customers affected.
• Rescue crews pulled residents from high water in both New Milford and West Haven.
• A substation in Bridgeport is under water which could force UI to turn off electricity to most of the city while the water is removed.
• Five hospitals in the state are running on generators (it was not announced which facilities were affected).
• The Merritt and Wilbur Cross Parkways have re-opened, but extensive delays are expected. 
• Two-thousand telephone poles have fallen and hundreds of cell towers have been damaged. Residents asked to curtail cell phone use.
• Thirty five towns have declared a state of emergency.
• Two Prospect firefighters who responded to fatal house blaze in that town were injured from electric shock and hospitalized. Both are expected to be released today.

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