Power is slowly being restored to the region, after Hurricane Irene has left much of the state without with electricity.
As of 5:40 p.m., United Illuminating was reporting that 114,313 of its 319,124 customers statewide — or some 36 percent of the utility company's coverage area — have lost their electricity supply.
That is up slightly from more than 106,000 the company reported out of power around 2:30 p.m. this afternoon.
“Conditions are constantly changing and our restoration crews and support staffs are working with the state and municipal officials to evaluate the damage and coordinate restoration activities,” Anthony J. Vallillo, executive vice president and chief operating officer of UIL Holdings Corporation, stated in a press release this afternoon. “We appreciate our customers’ patience as we begin this massive restoration effort.”
All crews are working diligently to restore power in every town in the company’s service territory, Vallillo said.
“Our focus is always on the safety of our customers and employees,” said James P. Torgerson, UIL’s chief executive officer. “Our crews have been instructed to give priority to areas where public safety is a concern. Once those have been addressed, we will focus on full restoration of power to all our customers.”
The company's website, which provides local outage information for the towns it serves, has been on and off-line throughout the day due to heavy traffic volume from resident seeking power outage and restoration information.
Currently the site only provides a town-by-town outage data graph.
"Due to the high number of requests for outage information, we are adjusting our site to accommodate as many concurrent customers as possible," company officials state on the homepage of their website.
Towns in the region served by UI that currently are reporting power outages include:
• East Haven — 7,068 without power, or 56 percent of its 12,986 customers
• Hamden — 11,150 without power, or 43 percent of its 41,896 customers
• Milford — 13,350 without power, or 50 percent of its 26,174 customers
• North Branford — 1,664 without power, or 50 percent of its 3,352 customers
• North Haven — 2,199 without power, or 50 percent of its 11,418 customers
• Orange — 4,722 without power, or 50 percent of its 5,976 customers
• Stratford — 8,149 without power, or 35 percent of its 22,960 customers
• Woodbridge — 2,883 without power, or 79 percent of its 3,626 customers
After immediate threats to public safety have been mitigated, UI officials said the company gives priority to restoring power circuits carrying public emergency facilities such as hospitals, police departments and fire headquarters.
Then, it focuses on restoring circuits carrying large numbers of customers. Finally, crews tackle service to individual homes and buildings, official said.
UI customers are requested to report any loss of power or damaged electrical equipment by calling 1-800-7-CALL-UI (1-800-722-5584), or 203-499-3333 in the greater New Haven calling area. UI’s automated outage reporting system will record and report the outage.
UI officials request that if you see downed or dangling power lines, or other damaged equipment, always assume they are live and dangerous. Stay far away and call 911, then report the condition to UI at the numbers above.
Patch will continue to provide updated information on power outages, as well as restoration efforts, as it becomes available.
