No Halloween, no power, & oh so much damage: Hurricane Sandy at 3
2012: the year without a Ridgefield Halloween, the year "generator" became a household necessity, the year of Superstorm Sandy.
Three years ago today, Hurricane Sandy took New York, New Jersey and Connecticut by storm and in its wake, an aftermath of tragic destruction. According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control) a total of 117 deaths were reported on Red Cross mortality forms. Hundreds of thousands of people suffered property damages and power outages.
Here is one of HamletHub's first updates post-Sandy:
Well, we made it through the storm. While we are not yet in 'restoration' mode, according to First Selectman, Rudy Marconi, officials are assessing damages and in the midst of restoring power to areas along Danbury Road- the elderly and Route 35 corridor are first priority.
Marconi says power will not be fully restored for many days. "I don't want to give the amount of days, but it will take as long as it did following Hurricane Irene," remarked Marconi.
Ridgefield did not have any fatalities. Neighboring North Salem and Easton CT, can't say the same. In North Salem, two children were killed when a tree fell on a home. An Easton firefighter was killed. We did have two people injured on Old Sib Road when their home collapsed. They sustained injuries and were taken to Danbury Hospital.
Marconi asks everyone to exercise caution. "Stay off the roads. As the power begins to be restored, some of the downed wires may become live," he says.
We presently have many roads blocked- the number could exceed one hundred.
Schools are closed for the remainder of the week.
No news on Halloween yet.
We'll update you later this afternoon following the afternoon press conference.
Until then, be safe.
We came together as a community ~ checking on our neighbors, offering shelter, sharing food, heat and the coveted "D" batteries, cleaning rooftops, lawns and driveways. If something was needed, you could count on our community to help. I remember reading on HamletHub's Facebook page, a plea from child in another state asking for information about her elderly parents, and within a few hours, there was another post saying they were fine ~ feisty and chilly, but doing just fine.
The local police and fire departments, along with our elected officials and volunteers, worked tirelessly too. At times neglecting their own families to secure our streets and homes, to set-up the Rec Center as an emergency shelter, to work side-by-side with power crews from across the U.S, and to assist Ridgefielders in so many other ways.
The local merchants and organizations were more than just shopkeepers ~ local owners offered hot beverages, their outlets for charging, and Wi-Fi for working, health clubs and gyms offered hot showers, pet shops housed pets that needed warmth, and Ancona's and many other merchants offered water, essentials and hot meals (check out the photo of Laura Ancona!) And, yes, the Ridgefield Playhouse offered free family movies.
And today? It's simply beautiful. Get outside and enjoy it! Up ahead this weekend: Halloween Walk, Aldrich Halloween fun, Police hold their Annual Halloween party...it's all very very good.