Update: Power Outages Climb in Ellington and Somers

Update, 3 p.m.

By 3 p.m., the power outage total in Ellington had risen to 70 percent of CL&P customers without power.

In Somers, the 63 percent of customers still don't have power.

Due to storm damage and area power outages, the children in Somers will have to wait to start the new school year as the Somers public schools will be closed on Monday.

Update, 1 p.m.

At 1 p.m., CL&P was reporting that 40 percent of customers in Ellington and 63 percent of customers in Somers were without power.

Throughout the state, 593,444 CL&P customers didn't have power. That represents 47 percent of customers.

These numbers only represent CL&P customers and there are many other customers of other carriers in the dark.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said in a press conference that the number of people without power in Connecticut has climbed to 700,000 and the figure could reach higher because forecasters expect Irene to bring “extremely high winds” on the backside of the storm.

The Ellington school system will be closed on Monday. Monday was to be Convocation Day, which involves staff only.

Original Story

As the peak of Hurricane Irene approached, 472,714 Connecticut Light and Power customers didn't have power.

That total represents 38 percent of total CL&P customers in the state.

At 9:41 a.m., 6 percent of customers in Ellington and 58 percent in Somers were without power.

While places are open around town, it is recommended that you stay home unless you absolutely need to.

The , , and canceled morning services. Ellington Congregational Church also canceled its picnic scheduled for the afternoon.