(Editor’s Note: This story has been updated.)
KENT — The town was hit hard by a 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). By Friday evening at 8:30 p.m. power was restored.
First Selectman Marty Lindenmayer sent out a series of email communications starting at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 27 giving updates 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.
“Eversource has declared Kent a “Level 5” priority, which will bring in extra crews and increase focus on power restoration,” Lindenmayer said.
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, town officials worked to ensure the safety of residents, including Camp Kenmont.
Additional power outages were reported in the Bulls Bridge area and in Kent Hollow.
