Hurricane Sandy: New London Info Center

3:19 p.m.

A PDF document on food resources in New London has been added to this article.

The number of New London outages reported by CL&P has increased to 1,971, or 14 percent of the city's customers. The outage figures have been fluctuating as power crews cut power to some areas to conduct repairs.

1:09 p.m.

CL&P is reporting that power outages in New London are down to 1,534, or 11 percent of customers. Mayor Daryl Finizio said CL&P's projections are for full restoration in New London by Tuesday since lines leading into the heavy-hit southern portion of town need to be repaired back to out-of-town substations.

"Our streets are clear and ready to go thanks the great efforts of our DPW department," Finzio said on his office's Facebook page. "I am pushing to get more assistance so power is up sooner than CL&P's projections. Those heavily effected on the waterfront might consider staying with friends/family if they are able until power is restored. We were warned pre-storm that we may have power outages that last two weeks. Many streets we are getting calls about restoration from were in mandatory evacuation zones. Obviously the power outages there are a serious concern. We are doing all we can to bring this to CL&P's attention."

Restaurants are asked to contact the Ledge Light Health District to set up an appointment with an inspector to ensure safe operation following hurricane disruptions. Restaurants should contact Steve Mansfield at 860-867-7962.

Friday, 9:06 a.m.

Connecticut Light & Power is reporting that 167,276 customers in the state are still without power this morning - 13 percent of the customers. The number of New London customers without power has declined significantly, with about 3,600 customers restored. There are 2,167 customers still without power, or 15 percent of New London.

Mayor Daryl Finizio reported on Thursday evening that electricity has been restored to the Thames River Apartments.

5:10 p.m.

After an unsuccessful attempt to resume classes at New London Public Schools today, the district's schools will be closed on Friday.

5:05 p.m.

Mayor Daryl Finizio posted on his office's Facebook page that he spoke with President Barack Obama and Gov. Dannel Malloy today about the need to restore electricity at the Thames River Apartments on Crystal Ave.

"I informed them both that our housing projects being without power puts many of our less advantaged residents at risk," Finizio said. "Medical supplies and food are running low and, with freezing temperatures approaching tonight, lack of heat in these facilities could create a dire situation. I expressed concern that because our city’s overall restoration percentages look good on paper compared to the region, loss of power in New London could have a much greater effect on the less fortunate. Mayor Finch of Bridgeport also spoke to the President, and the governor, expressing a similar concern. The President and the governor stressed that they understood this point well and were making this concern a high priority.”

4:21 p.m.

Both the New London Superior Court and G.A. 10 Court will be closed on Friday. Arraignments for overnight arrests will take place at the G.A. 21 Court in Norwich.

CL&P's latest tally has 241,304 people without power in Connecticut, or 19 percent of their customers. In New London, 5,724 customers are without people (41 percent and 250 fewer than Wednesday evening). Officials are urging caution as CL&P crews working in New London are also trying to restore power in neighboring communities. Outages range from 37 percent of Groton customers to 82 percent of Stonington customers.

Thursday, 9:22 a.m.

A decision to reopen New London Public Schools with the exception of Winthrop School has been reversed due to unexpected power outages in some schools.

Shore Line East resumes this morning. Amtrak will also begin some limited service between Boston and Washington, D.C. Sea Jet service remains canceled today but will resume on Friday. The noon, 4 p.m., and 7 p.m. departures of Cross Sound Ferry have been canceled.

10:12 p.m.

New London Public Schools will be open on Thursday with the exception of the Winthrop School, which experienced an issue with its generator while operating as an emergency shelter. However, anyone who is unable to attend school will receive an excused absence.

6:14 p.m.

Connecticut Light & Power has restored power to over 350,000 people since Hurricane Sandy passed, according to a company spokesperson, but about 312,000 - one quarter of the state - remained without electricity this evening. Progress is slower in New London, where 5,974 - 43 percent of customers - are still without power. This is 130 fewer than Tuesday morning's figure.

5:06 p.m.

Jurors should not report to the New London Superior Court on Thursday, the Connecticut Judicial Branch tweeted.

4:18 p.m.

Democratic Registrar of Voters Bill Giesing says the Third District voting site, which has recently been at Ocean Beach Park due to construction at Nathan Hale School, will take place at Harbor School due to the effects of Hurricane Sandy. Harbor School will continue to be the site for District Two voting.

2:04 p.m.

Mayor Daryl Finizio has urged residents not to take children trick-or-treating tonight due to continuing hazardous road conditions in New London. "The Mystic Aquarium has open trick or treating tonight from 5-7 p.m. if you would like to take your kids out. Otherwise, in keeping with other communities, you may consider trick or treating on November 7th as other towns have done," Finizio said. "Halloween is not a government sanctioned event and I have no power to 'cancel' it. As I stated yesterday (and earlier today) whenever you go out, use common sense."

Several state and federal government officials visited the New London shoreline today. Finizio urged patience in power restoration efforts, saying he has contacted both Gov. Dannel Malloy and the president of Connecticut Light & Power to bring in additional support. However, he said residents should be aware that power companies are also looking to address surrounding communities that have more widespread power losses.

The manager of the Osprey Beach Club said the organization intends to rebuild after the pavilion and bathhouse, which has stood at the shore for close to 75 years, was destroyed in Hurricane Sandy.

The percentage of Connecticut Light & Power customers without power in New London has been fluctuating in recent days, rising from 44 percent to 46 percent before dropping to 41 percent this morning. The percentage has increased again since then, with A total of 5,969 residents, or 43 percent of New London residents, was without power at the company's last estimate.

10:54 a.m.

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has announced that four state parks, including Fort Trumbull State Park, have reopened.

10:46 a.m.

Mitchell College is canceling Thursday and Friday classes and expects to resume a regular schedule on Monday; students who departed prior to the storm are encouraged to return over the weekend.

Wednesday, 10:09 a.m.

As Amtrak continues to make repairs, it is canceling Northeast Regional and Acela service in our area for another day. Neither train will run today. Cross Sound Ferry has canceled all SeaJet departures as well as the 10 a.m. and noon departures from New London.

Gov. Dannel Malloy will tour the storm-damaged areas of New London and several other coastal communities this morning. Malloy is scheduled to visit Osprey Beach at 11:30 a.m. today.

The search is still ongoing for the captain of the HMS Bounty, the tall ship which departed New London and sank off North Carolina during Hurricane Sandy. The Coast Guard rescued 15 other crew members, but one woman who was found several hours after the initial rescue was later pronounced dead.

6:35 p.m.

New London Emergency Operations Center is closing at 7 p.m. tonight.

5:15 p.m.

New London Public Schools will be closed on Wednesday. Mitchell College classes are also canceled for Wednesday, while Connecticut College will reopen at midnight.

3:05 p.m.

City offices will reopen tomorrow. A decision has not yet been made on whether New London Public Schools will resume classes.

Trash and recycling pickup will resume a regular schedule on Wednesday, with Monday and Tuesday pickups resuming next week. Residents may take trash to the transfer station for free this week from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., excepting 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Storm debris may also be disposed of for free at the station through Friday.

1:10 p.m.

The city has lifted its winter parking rules and downtown parking bans. Streets from Gardner Avenue to the north are open except Pequot Avenue, which is closed at Greens Harbor Beach. Localized street closures may occur throughout the day to allow crews to address fallen branches and other issues.

12:17 p.m.

Numerous people are traveling to the southern end of New London to see the hurricane damage. Emergency officials are asking that people stay out of the streets in these areas since crews cannot begin to clean up until people are out of the area.

Heavy traffic conditions are developing on the major routes in New London due to blocked streets, inactive traffic lights, sightseers, and a resumption of shifts at Electric Boat.

Tuesday, 8:28 a.m.

Gov. Dannel Malloy has announced that the travel ban issued on Monday has been lifted this morning. Several cancelations put into effect on Monday remain in effect, including the third shift of Electric Boat and New London Public Schools.

Mayor Daryl Finizio said a briefing at the New London Emergency Operations Center was scheduled for 8 a.m. and that decisions will be made at that point on street openings, parking restrictions, and other matters.

Connecticut Light & Power is reporting that 38 percent of its customers are without power. New London has 6,104 reported outages, a total of 44 percent of the city's customers.

Sandy has weakened considerably as it moves inland and is still a post-tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 35 miles per hour. However, flood and high wind advisories remain in effect in New London as renewed showers and winds gusting up to 30 miles per hour are predicted after noon.

8:54 p.m.

Sandy remains a post-tropical cyclone after making landfall in New Jersey. Maximum sustained winds were at 80 miles per hour.

New London emergency responders have gone to several calls of vehicles stuck in flood waters. The worst flooding is still anticipated for around 10 p.m., when the surge will occur on top of the high tide. Reported damage include extensive downed trees and power lines as well as a roof that was torn off on Nautilus Drive.

7:40 p.m.

The National Hurricane Center has downgraded Sandy to a post-tropical cyclone, with maximum winds at 85 miles per hour. Storm surges will still be considered a danger, and the New London Emergency Operations Center is anticipating coastal flooding when high tide occurs around 10 p.m.

Rep. Joe Courtney says most of the storm's damage is centered on southeastern Connecticut and that he urged the company's vice president to "ensure that CL&P take steps now to ensure the allocated of adequate resources for post-storm recovery and restoration."

6:10 p.m.

The mayor's office is encouraging people to heed barricades and other warnings during Hurricane Sandy.

"We are getting reports of cars avoiding barricades and yellow tape and getting stuck in flooded areas," said Zak Leavy, Mayor Daryl Finizio's executive assistant. "This is a very high risk due to downed electrical wires under the water. This is a serious electrical risk to residents. Please notify all family and friends that are on the road to heed the emergency barricades and to get off the road."

5:48 p.m.

The Winthrop School shelter is being evacuated, with about 60 residents going to the regional shelter in East Lyme, due to uncertainty over whether the generator is functioning properly. This will continue to be the go-to shelter for New Londoners who need to take shelter once the storm abates.

The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration reports that Sandy is making landfall in New Jersey and Delaware this evening. Predictions have hte storm continuing through Pennsylvania, New York, and Canada.

5:17 p.m.

Amtrak service in this region will remain suspended for Tuesday.

CL&P is reporting 13 percent of customers are without power, a total of 164,261. New London has 4,207 out of 13,736 (30 percent) without power.

4:52 p.m.

Residents were uninjured after a tree fell through their residence on Montauk Ave. This is about the fourth tree vs. house incident since the storm intensified. Residents have been evacuated to the Winthrop School shelter after the fire department secured the power.

A window at the New London Emergency Operations Center blew in and caused minor injuries to Police Chief Margaret Ackley. The windows in the center are now being boarded up.

3:24 p.m.

The mayor's office issued the following notice:

"Mayor Finizio has ordered Fire, EMS, Police and Public Works personnel to complete tasks and return to control points. The winds have exceeded MPH for crews to safely be in the City. Personnel cannot be in the field at winds over 50 MPH and gusts over 65 MPH. Wind average is now reported as 53.4 MPH and gusts at 75.2 MPH at Ledge Light.

All rides to evacuation shelter have been postponed. All residents should shelter in to where they are and stay indoors."

People are being urged to stay inside due to continuing hazardous conditions.

2:54 p.m.

A conference call from Gov. Malloy and the Connecticut Emergency Operations Center says Sandy is moving faster than anticipated and is expected to make landfall around 5:30 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. with a storm surge of six to 11 feet. Areas in western Connecticut will be hit the worst.

New London is looking into relocating some dogs at New London Animal Control after a tree fell on the shelter and caused some structural damage.

Cross Sound Ferry has canceled all Tuesday departures.

1:41 p.m.

Reid Burdick, New London's emergency management director, said the areas that have been flooding in the storm are the "usual suspects" for flood zones. He said there has not been significant damage from the storm, but that emergency responders are waiting to see what might happen with expected stronger winds and high water levels later in the evening. "Everything's going pretty well here...I don't think there's been anything out of the ordinary," he said.

Gov. Malloy has put a travel ban on the state's highways, meaning I-95 and the Gold Star Bridge are among the routes now closed.

CL&P continues to report no power outages in New London.

12:48 p.m.

Rep. Joe Courtney visited the New London Emergency Operations Center at the New London Fire Department headquarters and reported that Police Chief Margaret Ackley and Fire Chief Ron Samul have "all hands on deck."

With the worst flooding and storm surges expected to occur during high tides, flooding may not be as severe now as tides recede to a low around 3:16 p.m. The next high tide will occur at 8:52 p.m.

12:13 p.m.

Connecticut Light and Power is reporting outages to between two percent and eight percent of the surrounding communities. The outage map does not currently record any power disruptions in New London.

Although elective surgeries and other non-essential offices and functions of Lawrence & Memorial Hospital are closed for the day, the hospital has been running its incident command center since 7 a.m. The emergency department at the Pequot Health Center will remain open throughout the storm to provide 24-hour emergency care.

Gov. Malloy's office posted on Twitter that Sandy will pick up with 50-60 mph winds and 90 mph gusts around 3 p.m. "One more plea to anyone trying to stick this out in a city or town where evacuations have been ordered: Don’t be stupid. Get out now."

11:41 a.m.

President Barack Obama has declared a state of emergency in Connecticut as well as Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and the District of Columbia.

Gov. Dannel Malloy's office posted on Twitter, "Sandy is transitioning to a very large & dangerous Hybrid storm. Hybrid storms do not act like hurricanes & do not weaken over cold waters."

The crew of the HMS Bounty, which departed New London on Oct. 25 for St. Petersburg, Fla., has abandoned ship in stormy conditions off Cape Hatteras, N.C. The Coast Guard rescued 14 people and two remain missing.

11:10 a.m.

New London streets will be closed to non-emergency and non-evacuation traffic beginning at 1 p.m.  

As we hunker down to ride out Hurricane Sandy, we want to make sure that New London stays connected. For live updates during the storm, be sure to download our App for your smartphone or tablet and 'like' New London Patch on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

As you send us messages through social media, email (dirk.langeveld@patch.com) and text message (860-276-7478), we’ll make sure the information is added here to this story. We may also add a map  of trouble spots. If you notice wires down or a tree across the road, please alert authorities first and then let us know so we can spread the word quickly. You can comment right on this story to make sure readers know what’s going on in your neighborhood.

The effects of Irene are hard for us to forget and at times, water and batteries were scarce about town. You can share info about where to find these items and who has gotten the latest delivery by commenting here.

New London Patch is all about connecting neighbors and helping neighbors so we hope you’ll find this information hub helpful as we brave the storm together. Stay safe!

Here's some important info we've gleaned so far:

Mandatory Evacuations

The following streets are under a mandatory evacuation order; expected storm surge is 8-to-10 feet — higher than the hurricane of '38:

• Admiral Drive
• Chapel Drive
• Elliot Avenue
• Elm Street (Between Lincoln and Garfield)
• Glenwood Avenue to the intersection of Lower Boulevard
• Guthrie Place
• Hamilton Street
• Ledyard Street
• Lincoln Avenue
• Lower Ocean Ave. (from Jerome to Ocean Beach)
• Lower Montauk Avenue (from Lower Boulevard to end of Montauk)
• Lower Boulevard
• Mott Avenue
• Mott Court
• Neptune Court
• Parkway South
• Pequot Avenue (Water side)Quinnepeag Avenue
• Requinn Street
• Rocbourne Lane
• Rodgers Street
• Stuart Avenue
• Shaw Street (From Hamilton to traffic circle)
• Hamilton Street and Howard Street to traffic circle
• Peqout Avenue from traffic circle to Converse Place (both sides)
• All of Neptune Park (including Park Street and Stuart Avenue)

Shelters

New London's relocation shelter is at the Winthrop School,74 Grove St. Call 860-440-6687 for more information or if you need a ride.

The regional relocation center, which allows pets, is at East Lyme Middle School on Society Road in Niantic. For questions about that, contact East Lyme Emergency Management at 860-739-4434.

City Info

• Schools are closed through Tuesday.
• City buildings are closed through Tuesday.
• Only essential city personnel have to come to work Monday.
• All garbage and recycling pickup in the city has been canceled until further notice.
• Avoid hazards and exercise caution. If you see a hazard, notify the Police Department.
• City's Emergency Operations Center is located at fire headquarters on Bank Street.

Notable Closings & Cancellations

• State police plan to close the Gold Star Bridge if sustained winds exceed 40 mph.
• Amtrak services in the Northeast Corridor have been canceled for Monday
• Cross Sound Ferry has canceled all Monday departures
• The Crystal Mall is closed today.
• All courts and their administrative offices are closed
• Electric Boat canceled non-essential workers for all three shifts tomorrow.
• Lawrence + Memorial Hospital canceled all elective surgeries for Monday at both the main campus and Pequot Health. Also, L+M closed its Physicians Association locations for Monday.