UPDATED: Power Outages Now at 56 Percent in Town

Update, 5:45 p.m. 

Connecticut Light and Power has upped the number of estimated customers in Manchester who lost power due to the storm to 16,123, or approximately 56 percent of the town's total electrical customers. 

CL&P officials said that about 800 work crews, some from as far away as Florida and Michigan, were working across the state to begin restoring power to affected areas late Sunday, but that the first priority would be to assess the extent of damage and then work with local public works crews to clear trees from roadways and make streets safe and passable again. CL&P officials said that power could be out for up to a week in some areas. 

650,530 CL&P customers, or approximately 52 percent of the company's total customers in Connecticut, are without power as a result of the storm.

Update, 2:15 p.m. 
According to the latest figures released by Connecticut Light and Power, half of Manchester was without power as of 2:15 p.m. Sunday afternoon as a result of the storm. 

14,466 of the town's 28,621 CL&P customers were without power, according to a list the company made available on its website. 

CL&P officials have not said when power might be restored, but with heavy winds forecasted through the remainder of the afternoon Sunday the number of outages in town may still be growing. 

Original Story

Connecticut Light and Power is reporting that 6,751 customers in Manchester were without power as of 9:30 a.m. Sunday morning, or 23 percent of the town. 

According to CL&P, 473,955 of the company's 1,237,208 customers throughout the state are without power for a total of 38 percent. 

CL&P is urging customers who experience power outages to call 800-286-2000. Updates can also be found on a web page the company has created exclusively for the storm, Hurricane Irene Info, on Facebook, or you can text “outage" and your zip code to 24612 to receive text message updates on outages in your area. 

There were no reported road closings in Manchester Sunday morning. 

Manchester residents with questions about the storm and its impact on the town can dial 860-647-5699 for non-emergency issues; emergencies that need immediate attention should be directed to the Public Safety dispatchers at 860-645-5500 or 911. 

The Associated Press is reporting that Irene has been downgraded to a tropical storm as she hit New York City around 9:45 a.m. with winds that had fallen to 65 miles per hour. She is expected to reach Connecticut around noon.