CL&P preps for storm simulation

HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) -- Residents saw prolonged power outages after big storms hit the state last year. Now, nearly every city and town, and the state's utilities are getting ready to participate in a disaster drill simulating a category 3 hurricane.

"I want you to make sure that that point is incorporated into our key messaging regarding outage reporting," said one CL&P worker.

CL&P released a video Wednesday of a disaster drill conducted at their Berlin headquarters earlier this month to show that they are taking preparations for the hurricane season seriously.

The company has committed to sending a person to every city and town they serve for the big statewide emergency drill planned for this weekend.

"We're practicing some more...we have a strategic, comprehensive emergency response plan in place," said Mitch Gross, CL&P, "we've been working on it internally, we've been drilling."

The Attorney General, who says utility regulators have not been tough enough on the company, had the observation Wednesday.

"That kind of drill and practice is what they should have been doing in the lead up to the storms last year," said Attorney General George Jepsen, "they're a little bit behind the times."

The command staff at the state emergency operations center has been meeting every day this week in the run up to this weekend's big drill.

"We're going to do a full 'after action' on this," said Deputy Commissioner Bill Shea, "identifying some of our weaknesses and our strengths, capitalize on our strengths, but build on our weaknesses for the future."

However, it will be CL&P that will really be put to the test. Do people have faith that they can do better?

"I don't think so," said Adina Badulescu, of Wethersfield. "I do not have any faith at the moment."

"Because of what happened last year," asked News 8's Mark Davis.

"Correct," said Badulescu.

Others told News 8 Wednesday they believe the company will perform better in the future.

"Yes, I do because I think that they're under the microscope," said Mike DePratti, of Windsor Locks, "that they're going to be more prompt."

"They have no choice for what happened this last time," said Michelle Mills, of Hartford, "I think they would really want to be prepared."

The Governor, who was on a tour of state tourism sites Wednesday, said he expects the company is more prepared than in the past.

"Whether they'll be as ready as they can be, I doubt it," said Governor Dannel Malloy. "I mean I think that this is a multi-year process of gearing up and understanding the new normal, which we're now in which is this very volatile weather conditions."