Tuesday, November 01, 2011
by Sally Bowman Real Estate
You don’t realize how valuable a shower is until you go three days without one. Unfortunately for the town of Cheshire CT, residents have been learning this the hard way for almost four days. If you haven’t heard about the recent power outage, it’s not looking good. According to officials, it looks like much of Cheshire will be living in the dark for yet another day…or two.
It’s one thing to be without lights, but when cold weather comes into play it’s a whole different ballgame.
The power outage struck when an unusually early snowstorm swooped through the East coast, targeting much of Connecticut, New York, New Hampshire, Maine, and other New England and East Coast areas. As a result, a large percentage of residents in these areas (including myself) have been without power since Saturday, October 29. Immediately after the storm, the number of residences without power reached 3 million, a number that will make history.
While power in towns such as Southington and Wallingford has been almost completely restored, many towns in Connecticut still remain in the dark, with no telling of when the power will return. 
To give a little relief to those stuck without light or power, Cheshire High School is operating a 24-hour emergency shelter, something the town has not needed for over 15 years. Residents are welcome to take a shower, get warm and grab a snack. The high school is even offering overnight stays, but guests are encouraged to bring their own belongings, such as pillows, blankets and any other essential items. A smaller emergency center is operating at the Cheshire Senior Center.
While the majority of businesses in Cheshire are closed due the power outage, a few remain open including Hine Hardware and Stop & Shop. Gas stations and restaurants are open in parts of Wallingford and Southington.
If you can't make it to the emergency center, here are some great tips for safe practices during a storm/power outage:
1. In the future, don't wait for a power outage to occur to realize you're in need of supplies. Make sure your house is appropriately stocked with items necessary to survive a power outage. Here are just a few:
-Candles
-Matches
-Flashlights
-Extra Batteries
-Canned Goods
-Dry Food Mixes
-Bottled Water
-Seasoned Firewood
-Extra Blankets
2. Pack an emergency bag. If a power outage strikes at 4AM, you don't want to be stumbling around in the dark trying to pack a bag. You never know how long a power outage will last, so pack enough stuff for at least a couple of days.
3. Bundle up! Wear multiple layers of clothing to keep warm!
4. Read a book, play a boardgame or spend time reminiscing with family and friends. You know what they say, time flies when you're having fun. Hopefully the next outage won't last longer than a few hours.
Stay warm, stay positive and stay safe! This sure will be a time to remember. For more updates on the Cheshire community, stay in touch with my Sally Bowman Real Estate Blog or contact me with questions.
Sally Bowman
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