June 30 2019 storm

As cleanup and repairs continue after yesterday’s storm, the Westport Police Department urges residents to stay home. They say: “If you must be on the road, please drive with caution. Do not attempt to go around police tape and/or barricades.

“Please be considerate of these conditions during your morning commute. Allow for extra time, as damage has been extensive.”

These roads are still closed:

Long Lots Lane
1 Long Lots Road
30 Long Lots Road
Long Lots Road at Morningside Drive North
30 Morningside Drive South
Spicer Court at Spicer Road
6 Clapboard Hill Road
235 Greens Farms Road
245 Greens Farms Road
23 Hillandale Road

The WPD also reminds Westporteres to treat every downed wire as if it were live, even if it does not appear to be energized.

Power outage reports, general outage questions, or non-emergency issues associated with electrical repairs should be directed to Eversource: 800-286-2000.

This Colony Road home sustained a direct hit from a tree during yesterday’s storm. One resident sustained minor injuries. The house was declared uninhabitable. (Photo/Westport Fire Department)

The immensity of yesterday’s violent storm became clear, as word spread that 2 people were killed in the tri-state area.

One of the victims was Fairfield resident Dave Schmerzler. The 54-year-old graduate of Staples High School’s Class of 1983 was driving on the Fairfield side of Sturges Highway at 2:16 p.m., when a large tree limb pierced the car. He died at Norwalk Hospital an hour later.

Schmerzler’s wife, former Staples classmate Donna Taussig Schmerzler, was next to him. She suffered minor injuries. Their adult daughter, in the back seat, was not injured.

Schmerzler — a graduate of Syracuse University — grew up in Westport. Many friends are still here.

“The tragedy is immense,” one said. “Three seconds later, he would have missed it.”