Milford Officials Urge Residents to Stay Indoors

Mayor James L. Richetelli Jr. and Emergency Management Director, Fire Chief Louis LaVecchia, issued strong warnings for residents to stay indoors as Hurricane Irene continues to pound the region this morning.

The mayor said the city is experiencing extensive damage from strong winds and driving rain, which has caused many trees to collapse onto electrical wires. After surveying the damage early today, emergency officials said it is impossible to predict where downed trees and wires will render roads impassable and dangerous.

“It is crucial that residents not venture out of their homes at this time,” LaVecchia said.

For instance, officials said a telephone pole has snapped off of its base in Woodmont. In Milford center, a tree has fallen on a historic home and vehicles parked in the driveway. And there is a utility pole down at the Boston Post Road entrance to the Merritt Parkway.

The damage is occurring citywide, officials said, with mature trees being uprooted and, in some instances, live wires hanging over roadways and homes.

Utility officials have reported more than 40 percent of Milford is currently without power, or 10,000 homes. There are at least 50 residents being housed at the emergency shelter at .

Residents who have an emergency situation or want to report a downed electrical wire should dial 911.

For questions about the storm, residents may call the municipal Emergency Operations Center at 203-874-6782.

To report power outages, residents may call United Illuminating at 1-800-722-5584.