New London Mayor To Those In The Dark: Be Patient

As several state and federal government officials visited New London’s shore this morning, Mayor Daryl Finizio asked residents to be patient with ongoing efforts to restore electricity.

Gov. Dannel Malloy, Senator Richard Blumenthal, and Rep. Joe Courtney visited Pequot Ave. to observe damage done to beach club structures there. State Senator Andrea Stillman and State Reps. Ernest Hewett, Ted Moukawsher, and Elissa Wright also visited the site.

Finizio said he spoke with Malloy and Connecticut Light & Power president William Herdegen III to request additional resources to restore electricity to New London customers. As of Wednesday afternoon, 5,972 CL&P customers in New London—43 percent—remained without power.

“We’re confident that they’re sending the resources to get us up and running soon,” said Finizio. “We’re just asking everyone to be patient.”

Finizio said some nearby communities suffered more extensive electricity outages and crews in this area are working to restore power there as well. As of Wednesday afternoon, 99 percent of East Lyme and 94 percent of Stonington CL&P customers were still without power. Ninety percent of Ledyard customers have lost electricity along with 65 percent of Montville customers, 52 percent of Groton customers, and 51 percent of Waterford customers.

Pequot Ave., which was hardest hit by the storm, had largely been cleared of debris prior to the visit. Finizio praised city employees for their response during the storm and cleanup.

“Our crews have done a great job,” he said.

Tim Hanser, director of the Department of Public Works, said there were still about half a dozen areas where trees remained on wires. Hanser said both the department and CL&P have tree crews to address the issues.

“They’re basically following our priority list that we’ve generated,” said Hanser.

Malloy’s stop was part of a continuing tour of Connecticut towns damaged by Hurricane Sandy. Malloy also visited Stonington, Clinton, Westbrook, Madison, and Guilford today. He said communities should keep track of overtime costs incurred by municipal employees during storm response to apply for reimbursement.

Moukawsher, whose district includes southern New London, said residents who have suffered private property damage may apply to the Federal Emergency Management Agency to seek assistance.

“I just wanted to be here today,” he said. “I hadn’t been able to get here yesterday.”

Residents may register for FEMA assistance by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 for residents with speech and hearing disabilities. Online registration is available at disasterassistance.gov. The number for the FEMA Helpline is 1-800-621-3362.

Elissa Wright, whose district will include southern New London following next week’s election due to redistricting, said she thought preparations and warnings about the storm helped prevent injuries and deaths in the region. She said she thought it was lucky that the storm did not linger through another tide cycle and cause an additional storm surge and was relieved that the damage to New London was not severe.

“I think it was amazing considering the energy and force of the surge,” said Wright.

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