Hurricane Sandy: In Berlin 882 Without Power This Morning

The CL&P customers who do not have power in Berlin continued to grow as of 8 p.m. last night, but town officials said things are running smoothly and the damage from Hurricane Sandy is minimal.

"We're ready to go," Berlin Deputy Police Chief John Klett said. "We have more than adaquate staffing and we're prepared but as of right now it still looks like the shore is going to get whacked and we should be all right."

Emergency Operations Commander Matt Odishoo went one step further when talking about Hurricane Sandy from Operations central command post at the Berlin Fire Department.

"I'm not impressed with the storm," he said. "Our peak wind so far has been 52 miles per hour. We have sustained winds of 20 to 25 miles per hour so it's nothing out of the usual. The most major damage we have had so far is the sign fell off the front of the fire station. We have had no road closures or significant damage."

An employee of CL&P was stationed at the EOC and there were also representatives of fire, police, Hunter's Ambulance, Public Works and other town departments.

"We are playing it by ear," Town Manager Denise McNair said. "We would love nothing more to be back at Town Hall tomorrow and be open. The emergency shelter opened at 3 p.m. and there are a few seniors who moved over there before things really started kicking up."