Super Storm Sandy — A Year Later in Greenwich

It was early evening of Oct. 29, as the winds howled louder and grew stronger. The rains came and so did the flooding tides.

It was just a year ago that the sounds of trees and limbs snapping, falling to the ground, and electric transformers exploding were louder than the windy din the enveloped Greenwich as a downgraded Hurricane Sandy came ashore. About 6 p.m., the sky was aglow in Old Greenwich as a fire broke out.

As Greenwich firefighters negotiated the downed wires, trees, poles, they found a conflagration on Binney Lane — a narrow, hedge-rowed lane in the waterfront neighborhood where dozens of residents ignored the mandatory evacuation orders issued by the town a day earlier. In all, three mansions were ablaze and with the rising tides and no water pressure, firefighters had to retreat and try to keep the fires from spreading and rescue residents who decided it was time to leave. Miraculously, no one was injured ... even when a tree struck one of the engines.

From the shoreline to the backcountry, there wasn't an area of Greenwich spared of Sandy's wrath. Schools were closed for seven days until power could be restored and roads cleared of debris. And to the chagrin of many, town officials cancelled Halloween who were concerned for children's safety.

The town's beaches — both on shore and on the Islands — were devastated and barely recognizable and would cost millions to rebuild.

Hundreds sought refuge at the town's emergency shelters. The lines for diesel to power generators and gasoline at gas stations that did have power and supplies were so long that the Connecticut State Police were deployed to control traffic.

In the year since Super Storm Sandy, and the hurricane season officially ending on Nov. 1, much progress has been made. 

Working with town officials, Connecticut Light & Power continues vegetation management efforts, trimming trees at risk of downing lines and poles during future storms.

To address the water pressure issues in Old Greenwich, Aquarion Water Co. continues replacement of water mains and installing more fire hydrants. That work is scheduled to be completed in November.

The town will be installing a generator for Eastern and Western Middle schools so the facilities will continue to be used as shelters when needed. The town also adopted a shelter policy for pets which will now be allowed as long they are caged and accompanied by their owners. A generator is to be installed at the North Street animal control division shelter where residents will be able to bring their pets.

The town also is finalizing plans for a Citizens Emergency Response Team—a team of volunteers trained to help emergency responders during disasters such as Sandy.

It was the legions of volunteers that played a pivotal role throughout town during and after Sandy, said Dan Warzoha, the town's emergency management director.

"It makes you kind of emotional when you see the good things that people did," Warzoha said. "They put their neighbors and the town first over their own needs. It shows the character that this community is built on."

"We've made some great strides to getting stuff back to normal. We're better prepared," Warzoha added. "We're better prepared. But that said, have no idea what the winter is going to bring us."