I have a bone to pick with United Illuminating. I understand they are pressed to the breaking point with the remnants of Saturday’s storm. I take them at their word that crews are working as hard as they can.
My upset has to do with bad information.
Saturday night UI’s automated trouble line told me I’d have power early Sunday morning. When Sunday morning passed I was told Sunday afternoon. Later I was told we’d have lights (and water and heat) before 3:00 AM this morning.
On one of the automated reports the disembodied voice said they’d found our problem and a crew was working on it. Obviously not.
I’m typing this Monday at 3:28 PM and we’re still without power.
Again, this isn’t about the speed of United Illuminating’s repair. However, if at any time along the way they would have given me a correct estimate of power resumption I would have attempted to get us to a hotel. I didn’t because I thought we’d have power shortly.
Hamden still has nearly 2,500 homes and businesses without power. Right now there is one customer more without power than an hour ago!
Helaine is sitting at home (where it’s 50°) in a coat, under a blanket. She’s got a radio on tuned to WTIC-AM¹ (Kudos to them for superior coverage). She is sad. Me too.
Yesterday a UI spokesman said everyone would be online by this evening. I’m wondering about that prediction too.
¹ – WTIC-AM and WTIC-TV aren’t related. It’s a very unusual situation where we have the same call letters, but aren’t the same company.