CCSU Provides Over 800 Beds to Eversource During Storm Clean Up

Today, Central Connecticut State University announced that it has provided accommodations to over 800 Eversource employees and contractors to assist with the clean-up resulting from the recent tornadoes that hit Connecticut. Many Eversource and out of state crews will remain on Central’s campus in New Britain until power is fully restored and recovery efforts are completed.  Crews spent the last week, clearing more than 425 roads blocked by trees tangled with electric lines, addressing more than 1,800 broken poles and installing more than 300 miles of downed electric lines - that’s more downed lines than the company had to replace after superstorm Sandy.

“The tornadoes and macroburst that hit several western Connecticut communities last week caused monumental damage to the electric grid and it’s been arduous work for our crews to rebuild parts of the system and restore power,” said Eversource Vice President of Electric Operations in Connecticut Michael Hayhurst.  “After working 16 to 18-hour days on a massive restoration like this, rest time at the end of the shift for these men and women is crucial.  We are grateful to CCSU for the accommodations they provided for our crews.  Making dorm rooms and dining facilities available for our crews was very helpful – allowing us to have one central location for hundreds of workers. Partnering with CCSU, and the many other state and local agencies we worked with throughout this massive storm response, makes all the difference.”

What happened at Central during the last five days is an example of why CCSU has been recognized by the Carnegie Foundation as a “community engagement” institution according to President Zulma R. Toro.

“When I received the call from Eversource early Saturday, there was no question that we needed to do everything possible to assist them in their efforts to restore service to the communities devastated by the tornadoes last week, said Dr. Zulma Toro, President of CCSU. “As a publicly-funded state university, we take our responsibility as a steward of Connecticut very seriously. I’m very proud of our facilities and residence life staff who, in a matter of several hours, prepared hundreds of rooms recently vacated by students and then worked closely with Eversource staff to provide needed support to the emergency repair crews.”

“We’re just so glad that Central was able to help Eversource and its surrounding community by providing these accommodations,” said CSCU President Ojakian. “Hopefully the power will be restored quickly and there is no further damage as a result of the storms.”