Update from City and NPU

NORWICH – The following is an update from the City of Norwich and Norwich Public Utilities:

City of Norwich:

  • Effective at 4:00 pm on Wednesday, January 10, 2024, the City of Norwich has rescinded the Evacuation Order and Declaration of Emergency issued earlier today.
  • NPU placed a CodeRed automated call to the impacted customers alerting them that is safe to return to their homes and businesses.
  • Conditions at the dam on the Yantic River have stabilized and the water continues to recede.
  • On Thursday and into Friday, the State of Connecticut’s Department of Environmental Protection will oversee the stabilizing the dam with the installing a ‘coffer dam’ which will be placed in front of the existing dam to hold back water and allow for further investigation and repair.
    • Any questions related to the dam and its condition should be directed to the State’s Department of Energy & Environmental Protection.
  • Officials from the Town of Bozrah and the Norwich Fire Department will be monitoring the dam overnight in person.
  • The City is reminding those living in close proximity of the Yantic River to remain vigilant in the coming hours and days. Should conditions at the dam deteriorate, the City may issue another Evacuation Order to protect the public.

 

Norwich Public Utilities:

  • As of 5:00 pm on Wednesday, power has been restored to all NPU customers that were impacted by the storm. At the peak of today’s storm and its aftermath, approximately 5,000 customers were without power.
  • With the water receding at the Yantic River this afternoon, NPU crews were able to access our Bean Hill Substation and begin the process of carefully restoring power to impacted customers.
  • NPU crews also worked for several hours to replace a broken pole on Route 82 following a car accident that disrupted power for approximately 500 customers.
  • NPU appreciates the patience and support of our customers throughout a very challenging day.