UPDATE - Monday, Feb. 17 at 5:30 pm: We began the day with 544 power outages throughout the Town. Slow progress is being made and we are now down to 366 outages, spread across 70+ locations.
Closed Roads
As of this writing 4 roads are closed, with Great Oak at #19 added to the list. Sport Hill was closed this morning but is passable, although with low hanging wires. Three of the closed roads have outages associated with broken utility poles that must be replaced before power can be restored. Replacing a pole slows the process. Frontier owns the poles and is working with Eversource.
1. Great Pasture near #27 tree and wires down (broken pole)
2. Gallows Hill near Rt #53 tree and wires (broken pole)
3. Chestnut Woods near #53 (broken pole)
4. Great Oak at #19
Restoration
We currently have 366 homes without power. The three major outage areas are estimated for restoration by 11:15 pm tonight (Great Pasture, Gallows Hill, and Chestnut Woods.) That should light up about 290 homes. Crews will then focus on the small outages. There is no estimate for full restoration at this time.
Safety
Winds will continue to gust and could cause new outages. If your power goes out please report it to Eversource as soon as possible. If your neighbor's power comes back on but yours does not, this isn't uncommon, report your outage to Eversource again. Stay away from downed wires and trees. Assume any wire you see is a live wire.
If you are without power, please keep these tips in mind to stay safe during an outage:
* Keep freezers and refrigerators closed.
* Use generators outdoors and at least 20 feet away from building openings.
* Stay fire safe. Do not use a gas stove to heat your home.
* Unplug appliances and electronics to avoid damage from electrical surges.
* Make a plan for refrigerating medicines and powering medical devices.
* If safe, go to an alternate location for heat or cooling.
* Keep mobile phones and electronic equipment charged before a power outage.
You can reach me by phone and text at 203-856-1801 with questions or concerns. Text message is best. Facebook messenger is not monitored.
Have a good evening and I will update once more tonight.
Redding, CT – February 17, 2025 – A weekend ice and wind storm has left 544 homes in Redding without power as of 10 a.m. this morning. The storm caused significant damage across the town, with approximately 75 areas affected by downed trees and wires, along with four blocked roads.
Restoration Efforts Underway
Restoring power will be a lengthy process, and there is no estimated time for full restoration. Eversource follows a structured order of priority in its restoration operations:
- Safety First – Crews work to ensure conditions are safe for responders by de-electrifying downed wires and clearing blocked roads.
- Damage Assessment – Teams evaluate outages and determine the extent of necessary repairs.
- Power Restoration – Efforts begin with the largest outages before moving on to smaller outages affecting five or fewer customers.
Blocked Roads in Redding
As of this morning, four roads remain blocked due to fallen trees and wires. Crews are currently working at Great Pasture and Chestnut Woods.
- Great Pasture near #27 – Tree and wires down
- Gallows Hill (lower part near Route 53) – Tree and wires down
- Sport Hill near #89 – Tree and wires down
- Chestnut Woods near #53 – Tree and wires down
The Redding Highway Department is prepared to assist in clearing roads where no live power lines are involved.
Town Offices and Contact Information
Town offices are closed for Presidents' Day, but First Selectwoman Julia Pemberton remains available via phone and text at 203-856-1801 (text preferred). Facebook Messenger is not monitored.
Residents are urged to report power outages to Eversource immediately and to stay away from downed trees and wires, assuming all wires are live.
An afternoon update will be provided as restoration efforts continue.
Stay safe, Redding.