DeStefano expresses concerns over Sandy

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) -- Monday night New Haven Mayor John DeStefano and city leaders met to talk about their plan to get through the most critical part of Sandy.

"Tonight is about three tasks," said Mayor DeStefano, "securing, sheltering and rescuing."

And there are three areas of serious concern for Mayor DeStefano and other city leaders: the low lying ground in the City Point, Fair Haven and the East Shore sections of New Haven.

"We expect in other words to see an eight foot storm surge," said Mayor DeStefano, "water is our principal concern at this point, we think areas of New Haven that have never flooded before are going to flood in this event."

The immediate goal for the Mayor is to get the city through the midnight hour with additional police and firefighters.

As of 7 p.m., there were roughly 2,600 power outages across the city. That was expected to increase. It could jump to over 14,000 if the city needed to close down the Grand Avenue sub-station, which was a possibility.

DeStefano asked residents who have not heeded early warnings to evacuate to do so immediately.

Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro echoed his concern.

"They've told you to evacuate, go! The time is now," she said.