Hurricane Irene Arrives in Mansfield

Hurricane Irene has arrived.

Mansfield Town Manager Matthew Hart has declared a state of emergency for the Town, and John Jackman, Mansfield’s director of emergency management, told Patch Sunday morning that all emergency crews had been pulled off the road and would only be responding to life-threatening calls for service.

Jackman added that Mansfield fire, police, emergency services and public works are prepared for such calls and are fully-staffed.

“This is the culmination of a lot of work people have done throughout the week to make sure we’re as ready as we can be,” Jackman said.

At 10 a.m. Sunday, Connecticut Light and Power (CL&P) reported that 3783 Mansfield customers were without power (57 percent).

Jackman said that it was currently too hazardous for crews to be out to check for downed wires, trees and debris, but that he wasn’t aware of any local flooding conditions. 

“I don’t believe flooding is going to be an issue this time,” Jackman said. The highest forecast for rain is seven inches, ... but I don’t believe any occupied dwellings will be adversely affected.”

Regardless of road conditions, State Police Sgt. Richard Cournoyer warned all residents to remain inside and off the roads.

While there were no major calls for service as of 9 a.m. Sunday morning, Cournoyer said that “back to school parties” at Carriage House late Saturday night required “moderate police response.”

Following Sunday’s storm, Jackman said that emergency crews will survey the Town and devise a restoration plan, with transportation and power being the main priorities.

“Our current thinking is that we’ll have many people without power, possibly for five to seven days,” Jackman said. Cleanup, Jackman said, could take just as long.

In event of long term power outages, the Town will open up the as an emergency shelter.

“Getting power on is essential,” Jackman said.

Jackman, Fran Raiola, Mansfield’s assistant director of emergency management and Town officials will meet later Sunday evening to further discuss the Town’s storm response.

Stay tuned to Patch for local updates throughout the day.