Vernon Expanding Services As Part Of Isaias Recovery

VERNON, CT — Vernon is offering a plethora of services to residents as the town continues to recover from Tropical Storm Isaias.

As of 1:27 p.m. Friday, 2,149 of Eversource's 16,461 Vernon customers were without power. That's 13.06 of the town. That number had been 8,000-plus just after the storm.

Here are some of the expanded services:

• Storm Debris/Brush: The town of Vernon is extending the brush drop-off at Nye Street and the Transfer Station on Hockanum Boulevard. Vernon residents may drop off brush every day through Aug. 17 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. No punch card is required for brush.
• Trash Collection: Trash collection is operating on a normal schedule. Due to storm damage, some homes cannot be accessed for curbside pickup. Residents may drop household trash at the Transfer Station during the extended hours.
• Potable Water: Potable water remains available every day through Aug. 10 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Henry Park and the front parking lot of the Vernon Police Department. Residents must containers.
• Cell Phone/Mobile Device Charging: An outdoor charging station is available at the Henry Park Gazebo through Aug. 10 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.
• Showers: The town of Vernon is opening a shower facility for Vernon residents only on Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Vernon Center Middle School, 777 Hartford Turnpike. Residents must bring their own shower supplies and Rapid COVID-19 Testing will be provided on site and is required prior to use of the facility.
• Hand Sanitizer and Mask Distribution: The Milan Cultural Association is distributing free masks and hand sanitizer on Saturday outside Vernon Town Hall, 14 Park Place, from 10 a.m. to noon.
• General Safety Message: Treat all downed power lines as if they are live. Report downed wires to 911. Keep generators outdoors and at least 10 feet from the structure. Outages should be reported to Eversource at www.eversource.com or 800-286-2000.

Eversource Energy Friday released the following statement:

"Eversource’s army of line and tree crews, including hundreds of out-of-state utility workers from as far away as Canada, Michigan, llinois, Ohio and Indiana, continues making solid progress restoring power to thousands of customers in Connecticut after Tropical Storm Isaias. While adhering to strict COVID-19 pandemic safety protocols, crews have restored power to approximately 552,000 homes and businesses and expects to have the vast majority of the remaining 404,000 customers without power back on line by Tuesday at 11:59 p.m., with many being restored sooner."

Added Eversource President of Regional Electric Operations Craig Hallstrom, "We recognize how disruptive power outages are to our customers' lives and we're urgently working around-the-clock to get every customer affected by Isaias back on line. We have more than a thousand crews currently working on restoration efforts and more crews arriving throughout the day. In addition to restoring service, we continue to focus on working with our communities and public safety officials to clear downed trees and brush and open blocked roads – we remain committed to this massive restoration and will stay on the job until every customer has their power back."