UPDATE: CL&P Restores Power for Most of Branford; Emergency Shelter Opens for Affected

 were without power after yesterday’s nor’easter ripped through the state. , Branford came out nearly unscathed. 

Around midnight this morning, Branford’s Emergency Management Director, Lt. Raymond Dunbar said power was restored to most of these customers leaving just 107 CL&P customers without power.

Last night with power outages in mind, the town opened and emergency center at the , 46 Church St., (203-488-8304)‎, where food, water, 20 cots and warm heat was waiting for all without power. Branford Parks & Recreation Director Alex Palluzzi will be staffing the center for the evening and all guests are welcome to stay until 7 a.m. tomorrow and welcome to return until power is restored.

is also opening all gyms across the state to those without power for showers. Branford's Planet Fitness is located at 469 E. Main St. (203-488-8804).

Dunbar said, “based on the rest of the state, we’re doing a lot better.” 

During the gusty storm, which grazed Branford last night, one tree fell on Jefferson Road, according to Dunbar, taking down several high-tension power lines and killing power to the more than 700 customers in the area. Most of the customers affected are residents of area condos like The Greens, said Dunbar, adding that pockets of single-family residences in the area also lost power.

Power has been out for the area since last night and stretches from Jefferson Road at the intersection of West Main Street where the traffic signal is out to The Greens condos. This area was also one of the unlucky spots during Irene. “I feel bad for the poor people,” said Dunbar. "Twice that area got hit.”

One Branford Patch follower on Twitter, Lauren who is a resident of the condos and goes by he handle @OurHidingPlace, has been searching for answers as to when her power will be restored. We asked her how it was going and she responded, “@BranfordPatch Not that well seeing as I'm [in] a condo complex with lots of elderly people and I'm wondering how they will be handling the dropping temperatures! When is @CTLightandPower going to announce power restoration schedules?”

Last night Dunbar, after speaking with CL&P yesterday, was hopeful that crews would be coming to Branford as early as today. “I have high hopes,” he said, “that CL&P will be able to provide the crews to the town tomorrow.” In yet another lucky break for Branford, most of the power was restored last night into the early morning.

In the meantime, while the state faces another scary stretch of being powerless, Dunbar said he’s confident the town can handle this one. “All of the services in town,” he said, “are ready for the needs of the town.”

If you have storm-related questions please call the police department at 203-481-4241.

*As of this morning, 750,283 CL&P customers are without power.