Groton Digs Out After The Blizzard (VIDEO)

Groton began digging out Saturday from the February blizzard that dumped two feet of snow on the town, leaving drifts of three to five feet in some areas.

Connecticut Light & Power reported 2,253 Groton customers, or 27 percent, still without power as of 9 p.m., and the town opened a warming shelter at the Groton Senior Center.

CL&P released a statement that crews were responding to damage from the record-breaking snowfall and winds.

Approximately 35,000 customers remained without power statewide, the utility said.

“Road conditions are hazardous and have made travel difficult for our line workers and tree workers,” Bill Quinlan, CL&P Senior Vice President of Emergency Preparedness said in a prepared statement. “We will continue working around the clock and expect to make strong progress in the harder hit southeastern part of the state; however, some customers may be without power for a day or more.”

Dan Vakili, of Groton City, said he lost power at about midnight, and when he got up, it was back on.

"I'd say this is certainly the largest snow fall in one shot I've seen since I've lived here," he said.

Dan Untied said he stayed up until just past midnight watching the storm and listening to the wind howl.

"It sounded a couple of times like something was running around on top of the roof," he said.

Many businesses were closed Saturday, and exhausted snow plow drivers took the night off at sundown. They were expected to resume work this morning.