This afternoon, 1st Selectman Jim Marpe, the Department of Public Works and Westport’s Emergency Response Team provided this information. It Includes power outages (including Optimum TV), and safety and food tips.
Most roads are passable. But some may be detoured if crews are in the area clearing debris.
Currently 0.32 percent, or approximately 41, of Westport’s Eversource customers are without power. Those customers, and others with specific outage issues are being addressed as quickly as possible.
- Due to the heat wave and for those in need, the cooling center at Greens Farms Elementary School is open now until 5 p.m. Wear a face covering, and maintain social distance recommendations.
- Homeowners should contact electricians to manage individual issues, such as wires that were pulled from the home or electrical panels. A certified electrician must re-attach those wires. Neither Eversource nor town DPW crews are qualified to service individual home electric panels.
(Photo/Wendy Cusick)
Cable and internet service
If your power has been restored but your cable/internet access remains down, please contact your provider. Those providers rely upon electrical restoration or pole re-installation before their services can be addressed. Some fiber cables have been compromised. Town officials are also in contact with providers to encourage facilitation of those services.
Optimum (also known as Cablevision/Altice) says that teams have been deployed around the clock restoring services as quickly as possible. The percentage of customers in Connecticut without Optimum service due to the storm has fallen from more than 44% to less than 4% today.
Optimum offers these restoration tips:
If you lost power, restart your equipment using these steps:
- Unplug your equipment from its power source.
- Wait 30 seconds.
- Plug your equipment back into the power source
If your service does not return after restarting, it is possible that:
- The power that feeds the network in your area comes from a different commercial power source than the power that feeds your home or business location, or there is another issue relating to network power that needs to be addressed. Optimum is coordinating with electric companies to identify these issues and ensure prioritization of repair or restoration.
- There is damage to the Optimum network, like a downed utility pole or wire break. Crews are working to rectify this type of damage.
To check on service status:
- Go to optimum.net/support/outage Sign in with your Optimum ID and password. Next, under Support (upper right corner), click “Service status.”
To report service issues:
- Visit optimum.net/support/outage
- Message Optimum at optimum.net/chat
- Send Tweet to @Optimumhelp
- Call (866) 950-3278
To request a credit, click here: optimum.net/support/request-a-credit
Safety Information:
Homeowners are often seriously injured trying to do their own post-storm cleanup work.
- Consider consulting a professional before undertaking any major restoration or tree / large limb removal.
- Do not use a chain saw if you are not experienced in properly and safely operating it, or if you are not physically fit. If you must use a chainsaw, work only on the ground, not in a tree.
- Use extreme caution with ladders.
- Stay safe in hot weather; hydrate; pace yourself.
- The Westport yard waste site on Bayberry Lane is open fto discard tree limbs and branches.
Food safety reminders:
- Any food remaining in a refrigerator or freezer during the outage should be considered contaminated. Do not rely upon appearance or smell to determine if it is safe to consume. When in doubt, throw it out.
- When power comes back on, clean out your refrigerator and freezer before putting new food in it. Wash the inside of the refrigerator and freezer with soap and warm water, then wipe with a mild solution of ½ tablespoon bleach in a gallon of water. Keep doors open to allow to dry. Once dry, allow the unit to get cold before placing food inside.