Mary Johnson Photo
Branford and the shoreline communities are digging out of a foot of snow or more as town trucks clear roads and folks begin shoveling out under sunny skies. When the winds subsided and the snow stopped after nearly a day of blizzard-like conditions, Branford accumulated 11 inches of snow. Guilford had about 16 inches.
The town’s public works department plowers were busy lifting snow from the streets. State workers cleared highways and Metro North has resumed operating a regular weekday schedule.
Throughout the storm, the Branford Fire Department was kept busy. (See top photo)
The fire department reported 22 incidents during the blizzard, including a fire in which three cats perished in a multi-family dwelling at 233 East Main St. Branford firefighters quickly extinguished that fire.
Mary Johnson Photo
The fire was reported at around 4 a.m. by a passing plow driver, who alerted the residents. They escaped without injuries. The plower had spotted a fire on an enclosed porch attached to the house.
The home, which was built in 1803 and contains five apartments, is owned by Waggin Tails LLC, whose mailing address is 229 East Main St., which is Mill Pond Veterinary Hospital, located next door.
The cause remains under investigation.
On Sunday afternoon, Branford firefighters rescued a man who went through the ice at the Supply Ponds. He was quickly rescued by two bystanders and was checked out by the fire department. He declined to be hospitalized.
The Blizzard of 2016 dumped more than 30 inches of snow across some parts of the state; accumulations varied. Thompson, for example, a small rural town, reported 33.5 inches.
Our photographer Mary Johnson took a tour of the town during the storm.
Mary Johnson Photo
She went to Branford Point at sunset.
Mary Johnson Photo
She found an unusual sculpture near the sea.
Mary Johnson Photo
She visited Branhaven Shopping Plaza along West Main Street.
Mary Johnson Photo
And then returned home, checking the Amtrak bridge crossing on Route 1.
The snow began to melt as the temperature rose. Today is expected to be sunny as well, with temperatures in the middle and upper 30s.
Bill O’Brien Photo
Lily Finds a Stick
Walking on a leash is is back, especially for those four-paw members of the family.
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If Branford does not have a snow ordinance requiring the removal of snow from sidewalks it should enact one. If it has one it should enforce it. Long stretches of Short Beach Rd. have sidewalks with snow on them two days after the storm, forcing people to walk in the road. Someone is going to get hurt or God forgive us killed. This is a lawsuit waiting to happen.