Conn. struggles to return to normal after storm

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Connecticut was struggling to return to normal just days after a massive storm dumped more than 3 feet of snow in much of the state.

POWER: By late Sunday afternoon, power outages numbered fewer than 15,000, down from as many as 38,000 a day earlier. Most were in southeastern Connecticut, which was hardest hit by snow and wind.

MONDAY COMMUTE: Gov. Dannel P. Malloy ordered state employees working the evening and midnight shifts to report to their jobs on Monday, though nonessential workers on regular day schedules are required to stay home to keep traffic to a minimum as road crews continued to clear snow.

Heavy Monday morning traffic will delay cleanup work and "the last thing we need at this point is a typical morning rush-hour commute," Malloy said.

The University of Connecticut will be closed Monday, but expects to resume regular operations Tuesday.

Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra ordered schools closed on Monday to make it easier to plow streets and tow abandoned vehicles. Schools in numerous other municipalities also will be closed on Monday.

Connecticut state courts and state's 12 Department of Social Services offices, too, will be closed on Monday. The DSS offices are also closed Tuesday for the Lincoln's birthday holiday.

TRANSPORTATION: Kevin Nursick, a spokesman for the state Department of Transportation, says all state highways are open. Still, roads will not be in ideal condition for about 10 days when all snow is removed to widen access or remove piled snow hindering visibility at intersections, he said. During the storm, the state had all 850 plow trucks of its own and those of contractors and 150 payloaders "from wherever we can find them," Nursick said.

Metro-North says normal Sunday service to Stamford operated on schedule on the New Haven line, though service between Stamford and New Haven remained suspended until further notice. Rail service will operate on the New Canaan and Danbury branches, while busing on Waterbury branch.

Bradley International Airport re-opened at 5:55 a.m. on Sunday. Spokesman John Wallace said Sunday he was "pleasantly surprised" that airline traffic rebounded quickly at the airport. Sunday, it was at 85 percent to 90 percent of normal activity and he expected it to be close to 100 percent on Monday.

FORECAST: A wintry mix of snow and ice was expected Sunday night into Monday morning when it will turn to rain. Roofs already under a foot or more of a snow will be weighed down with the added moisture.

The state agriculture commissioner urged farmers to assess the condition of barns and buildings after roofs on two barns collapsed and a greenhouse was damaged due to the blizzard.

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