Preston mostly in the dark

Preston – About 75 percent of the town was without power late Monday evening, and several roads were blocked by downed trees tangled with wires, First Selectman Robert Congdon said.

Congdon pulled in Public Works Department crews shortly after 6 p.m. after they had spent much of the day using bucket loaders to clear trees and limbs that were not tangled with wires from town roadways.

Congdon advised all residents to stay off the roads until the storm subsides and roads can be cleared. Among the roads closed as of late evening were Northwest Corner Road, Schoolhouse Road, Brand Road and Pierce Road.

A tree fell on Route 12 in front of the former Norwich Hospital property, but that road was partially passable, Congdon said.

The only flooding concern was the rising waters of Poquetanuck Cove on Route 2A as high tide approached at 10 p.m. Monday.

Town Hall offices will be closed today, but a staff person will be on hand to answer calls from residents, Congdon said. Town schools are closed, and the Preston Plains Middle School is the town’s emergency shelter.