CHAPPAQUA, N.Y.Tropical Storm Irene is over, yet nearly 4,000 people in Chappaqua and many downtown businesses remain in the dark, because of fallen trees and branches on power lines due to the storms 60 to 70 mph wind gusts.
As of 9 p.m., more than 2,300 people on Bedford Road are without power, as well as 830 on King Street, 590 on Kipp Street, 460 along Hardscrabble Road and 270 along Millwood Road, according to Con Edisons outage maps. Power is expected to be restored Thursday at midnight.
There are downed trees on nearly all of the main roads throughout the area, slicing power lines, leaving residents without power but with headaches.
I live on 505 King Street and I am totally stranded, said Tracy Hoffman. I cant get to my house, I cant get anywhere. This is totally ridiculous. The fire department didnt get out there and start cutting down trees until 8 o clock last night. And now these guys wait to come just to do it for the overtime.
There are downed trees on King Street heading south towards Armonk, on Bear Ridge Road towards Pleasantville, as well as a large downed tree blocking Smith Street in Chappaqua.
Neighborhood residents are frustrated with their electrical service, especially a couple who lives on Hardscrabble Hill Road, an off shoot of Hardscrabble Road, which runs north and south straight through Chappaqua.
Our neighborhood on Hardscrabble Road has been a problem area for 20 years, said Susan Edelson. We lost power in the tornado last week, in the winter, even when its sunny."
Every time we lose power we go into a motel because we cant do anything Edelson said. We cant take a shower, we cant flush the toilet because we have septic and we cant run the sump pump. Its a disaster and its getting really expensive.
Her husband, Dr. Steven Edelson, had some suggestions for what Con Edison can do to prevent the frequent power outages in his neighborhood.
See the problem is that the trees hang on the wires, Edelson said. They need to create a cable system so that the branches fall on the cables, not the power lines so it doesnt knock out the power. But the whole thing is getting ridiculous...and now were supposed to be without power until Thursday? Were pretty disgusted.
Residents on King Street and Hardscrabble Road were not the only ones without power. Businesses all along King Street from Aurora at 1 King Street to Old Stone Trattoria at the end of King, where it meets Bedford Road, are all without power. Even businesses like Couture Dossier, Bobbysues Nuts and Quaker Hill Tavern on the adjacent Bedford Road are without power as well.
In downtown Chappaqua, much of South Greeley Avenue had its power on but Villarinas, surrounded by power on either side, was in the dark.
Were just keeping everything cold with generators right now, said Juan Rosas, owner of Villarinas Deli. They said it could be a couple days to a week.
Please stay with The Daily Chappaqua for updates on when businesses will reopen and when power will be restored.
If you have photos of any downed trees or damage due to Tropical Storm Irene, please send them to mesposito@TheDailyChappaqua.com or share them on our Facebook page.
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