Let’s Crowdsource Sandy - Help Us Track Outages, Other Storm-related Issues Here
by CTNewsjunkie Staff | Oct 28, 2012 2:38pm
(4) Comments | Commenting has expired
Posted to: Energy, Town News, Weather
Are you ready for Sandy? Here’s a list of what you need to be prepared. This time, you can be part of the solution. . .
How You Can Help and Hold Public Utilities Accountable
If you are armed with a smartphone — specifically, an iPhone, Android, or Blackberry — you can help crowdsource damage from Sandy by downloading the free SeeClickFix app for your phone here. Using the GPS in your smartphone, the app will allow you to upload a location-specific report of a problem, including photos and/or video. We’re looking for things like power outages, downed wires, trees on limbs, flooding, clogged drains, etc. This tool is for non-emergency problems, so if you need the police or fire department or an ambulance, call 911.
By reporting outages and other problems through your phone app (or even here, through your laptop or desktop computer if you have power), we can track how long it takes for damage to be repaired. When the damage is repaired, you should close your report in SeeClickFix to let us know progress has been made. And, if you are reporting a damaged utility pole, make sure you include the pole number in your report, but NEVER touch or even approach downed wires for any reason.
NOTE: This is a separate tracking project. We will try to get the utility companies to monitor these reports as well, but there is no guarantee that they will do so. That said, if you report a problem using SeeClickFix, it’s also worth reporting it directly to your local utility company to ensure prompt action. Below are links to the contact info webpages from all of the state’s various providers:
-CL&P
-United Illuminating
-Wallingford Electric
-Norwich Public Utilities
-Groton & Bozrah Utilities
-South Norwalk Electric & Water
-Norwalk TTD Electric Department
-Jewett City Dept. of Public Utilities
And here’s a message from SeeClickFix.com about what you can do to help in your neighborhood:
Tags: SeeClickFix, Sandy, hurricane, storm
(4) Comments
posted by: Tessa Marquis | October 28, 2012 4:38pm
Milford shoreline homes and businesses under mandatory evacuation as of 6pm.
Mayor Ben Blake notes that police patrols will be active throughout the area to protect against vandalism and theft.
posted by: AntonK | October 28, 2012 7:43pm
I’m surprised that neither Ryan Hanrahan nor Bob Cox have kept us up-to-date via their normally excellent blogs. This is a big disappointment, as the Courant’s coverage was subpar, as was the coverage of WFSB and NBCconnecticut.
posted by: saramerica | October 29, 2012 2:06am
Greenwich has now got mandatory evacuation of SLOSH zones 1-2-3 and voluntary evacuation of zone 4 - which includes the lower end of my street…we’re staying put for now because we’re on higher ground, but I’ve moved everything off the floor of my office in the basement. Have now discovered that I actually HAVE a floor in my office in the basement.
