Power Outages In Some Towns Still 100 Percent

Connecticut’s electrical companies are working around the clock to restore power to the record number of customers who lost it as a result of Irene this weekend.

The problem, they say, is that due to the extensive damage caused by the storm, there are simply not enough available work crews to restore service to all customers across the state in a timely manner, and that some customers should be prepared to be without electricity for a week or more.

“The number one issue we have is getting the resources here,” said Jeff Butler, president of chief operation officer of Connecticut Light & Power, which represents the bulk of the state’s electrical customers. “We’re working 16-hour shifts with an eight-hour rest period.”

According to CL&P, the figures for all of Connecticut are as follows:

• Total CL&P Customers Served: 1,237,208

• Total CL&P Customers Reported Affected: 456,323

• % of CL&P Customers Reported Affected: 36%

Figures in area towns are as follows:

• Ledyard, 96 percent
• Groton, 93 percent
• Waterford, 65 percent
• Montville, 96 percent
• Clinton, 96 percent
• Madison, 96 percent
• Guilford, 100 percent
• New London, 23 percent
• North Stonington, 100 percent
• Old Saybrook, 91 percent
• Stonington, 93 percent
• Westbrook, 90 percent