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Downed trees leave residents in dark

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KENT – The town was hit hard by a Wednesday night storm that took down trees and knocked out power to over 800 homes. As of mid-afternoon Thursday, June 27, many remained without power and the buzz of generators could be heard at many homes off Kent Cornwall Road (Route 7).

A tree crossing Route 7 took down wires just north of 351 Kent Cornwall Road. Eversource and the state Department of Transportation were unable to address the situation that left all residents north of the town center without power for over 26 hours Thursday, June 27. Photo by Lynn Mellis Worthington

First Selectman Marty Lindenmayer sent out an email communication at 11 a.m. giving an update to residents. 

“The storm last night resulted in a significant amount of downed trees, blocked roads and the inevitable power outages across the Town of Kent,” he wrote. “The hardest hit area and the immediate focus is in North Kent, where town and CTDOT crews are working to ‘make safe’ the areas of down trees in order for the Eversource crews to start work to restore power.”

He said that it was expected to take some time for the crews to clear the trees and open the road. 

Two tractor-trailer trucks were stuck on either side of the downed tree on Route 7 Thursday, June 27 at mid-morning, while one driver of a pick-up truck with a trailer drove around the tree on private property under the dangling wires. Photo by Lynn Mellis Worthington

“Eversource has declared Kent a “Level 5” priority, which will bring in extra crews and increase focus on power restoration,” Lindenmayer said.

A road closure sign at the intersection of Route 7 with Botsford Road. Photo by Lynn Mellis Worthington

While DOT was able to open the road and it was not listed on the state DOT website as a road closure, as of 3 p.m. power was not restored to residents along Route 7.

Lindenmayer saluted the work of Kent Volunteer Fire Department volunteers, Public Works Foreman Rick Osborne and the Town Crew, who worked throughout Wednesday night assessing damage, clearing downed trees and debris as best they could. They all worked in conjunction with the Emergency Management team.

There were also other power outages reported in South Kent and the Kenmont Road area off Route 341, and town officials were continuing to work to ensure the safety of residents, including Camp Kenmont.

Few signs were posted on Route 7 Thursday morning by state transportation officials to warn drivers of the road closure of the major thoroughfare through town. This one in the town center states ‘No Thru Traffic.’ Photo by Lynn Mellis Worthington
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