Southeastern part of state didn't escape Irene

Stonington, Conn. (WTNH) - When Irene came for a visit on the southeastern shore, she didn't ring the doorbell, she knocked the door down.

Before daybreak, the carnage of wood and wire began. Calls of downed limbs and lines seemed as numerous as the rain. A

Of course, the question during all of this has been how long can structures withstand this kind of pressure, with continuous knocking of the waves.

Barbara Oliver said, "The police don't really want us out. Because the trees are coming down and it's dangerous, the lines are coming down."

Moored boats somehow held on, as high tide and the height of the storm joined together to provide a spectacular sight, and angry sea.

"This is about as far as I can go, because the support for this stairwell is gone, washed away basically by the waves," said, Oliver.

The Long Island Sound had waves, but most concerning was it's impact to homes on the water.

Douglas Goodrich has a good idea, Irene's gift to his Old Saybrook home was a maple tree.

Goodrich said, "There's people that want to take this tree down for me, but I want to check with my insurance company first."

While the damage to this part of the state isn't as extensive as areas to the west, Irene has left her mark.

Thousands are without power, thousands have damaged property, and thousands will be inconvenienced for days.