Community Corner

[Updated] Overnight Storm Leaves a Trail of Debris Around Vernon

Trees were knocked down, yards were a mess and school was delayed when residents woke up.

Updated Jan. 31, 10:34 a.m.

Vernon woke up to a mess on Wednesday that resembled more of a summer storm than a winter one.

The snow was gone - save for a few compacted piles here and there - and it was replaced by downed branches and trees, saturated lawns and a few power outages after severe wind and heavy rain paid a visit to the area overnight.

Classes were delayed for two hours due to debris at local schools that has to be cleared, Emergency Management Director Michael Purcaro said. Some felled trees were blocking roadways.

Several emergency calls for downed wires and trees came in overnight, he said. Vernon police spokesman Lt. William Meier said 28 calls had come in between midnight and 7:30 a.m.

Wind gusts - predicted at about 60 mph - were so strong, a section of fence was ripped out of its base at a home in Vernon Center. An entire tree was knocked over at Rockville High School - very close to another tree recently struck by lighning.

Purcaro said "no major emergencies" were reported and 645 Connecticut Light & Power Customers - or 4 percent of Vernon - were without power as of 6 a.m.

Superintendent of Schools Mary Conway issued the following message:

Good Morning. The opening of schools will be delayed today, Thursday, Jan.  31, 2013, due to high winds which have caused trees to block roads in several areas of town.  I repeat, the opening of schools today, Thursday, Jan. 31, will be delayed for two hours.

Find out what's happening in Vernonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Thank you and have a good day.

As of 8:30 a.m. Vernon police were reporting the following road problems:

Find out what's happening in Vernonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

• Evergreen at Temple - one lane.

• Bolton at Pineview - closed, but a mid-moring re-opening was anticipated.

• Liberty at Hale - closed.

• Maple Avenue - closed.

See any damage around town? Upload a picture to the story.  


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