Wind, Rain, Sirens, and Cancellations

The Fire Department got so many calls Saturday afternoon that they had to call additional manpower to the firehouse. The reports of alarms sounding, wires down and transformer fires started coming in around 1:30 p.m. and just kept coming, with at least three dozen logged so far. 

According to Connecticut Light & Power's outage report, more than 65 percent of New Canaan customers, 5,493 as of 11:05 a.m. Sunday, were in the dark (except those with working generators, of course). 

Meanwhile, the state Department of Transportation posted alerts about wires and trees on major roadways, including some that shutdown the Merritt Parkway southbound between exits 41 and 40 B at 3:05 p.m. and northbound between exits 34 and 35 at 4:46 p.m. 

The National Weather Service cautioned that the damaging winds and pelting rain would continue through the night—a high wind warning was in effect until 1 a.m. Sunday and a flood watch is in effect through Saturday evening. 

With all that in mind, a number of weekend activities have been cancelled or postponed: 

• Metro-North is busing New Canaan branch passengers through Sunday afternoon, due to residual effects from last night's storm.
• The YMCA has closed after the power went out there; Middle School Madness scheduled for Saturday evening was cancelled.
• Saturday's performance of The Mystery of Edwin Drood at New Canaan High School was postponed until Monday, March 15, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets from Saturday night's show will be honored Monday. (Tickets will also be on sale at the high school lobby Monday from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.). 
• The Nature Center's Syrup Sunday and Pancake Brunch scheduled for Sunday was postponed until March 21 when it will be held from noon to 3 p.m. 

Stay home and stay safe. 

If a big tree has come down in your neighborhood, e-mail pictures and storm pics to amy@patch.com or add them here.