New Canaan EOC Announces Storm Plans

Our Town is faced with an extremely dangerous, challenging and unprecedented situation with the . 

For the past 24 hours, the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) has been and their property to the maximum extent possible.  Since New Canaan will be subject to winds in excess of — and possibly with gusts over 100 mph — we expect that numerous trees and wires will be downed and power and communications disrupted for an extended period.  Federal and state highways may be closed for several days.  As such, all residents are encouraged to plan on being self-sufficient for seven days and have adequate food and water.

Residents living in areas that have experienced flooding in the past should consider alternative living arrangements now – trying to evacuate during the storm will be fruitless.  During the height of the Hurricane, emergency responders may not be able to respond due to high winds.  Afterwards, roads may be impassible for days.  Residents with special needs and lacking standby generators therefore are also encouraged to make alternative arrangements now.

Shelter:  The Town is providing shelter for New Canaan citizens at the , which will open at 12 noon on Saturday.  The Center is located at 677 South Avenue and residents should enter from South Avenue. The will also be available to all residents, during normal business hours, for showers (they have a generator).  The has committed to remaining open for residents (however, that is power-dependant as they do not have a stand-by generator).

Information:  We anticipate that the 911 Call Center will be extremely busy during Hurricane Irene urge you to refrain from calling for non-emergency issues.  The EOC has set up a separate call center to answer questions regarding the storm at 203-594-4100.  Only real emergencies should be reported through 911.

The EOC encourages all residents to sign up to receive special announcements via the Town’s out-call system — via telephone, text and email by logging into www.newcanaan.info and following the “Emergency Call Out System” link.  Announcements about shelters, road closures, etc. will be disseminated via this system, local media and the town website.  Alternatively, you can e-mail the EOC at  jim.cole@newcanaanct.gov.  Include your name, address and phone number

Schools: The has announced that the first day of school has been moved to Wednesday, August 31st.  Parents are also advised that there is a strong possibility that additional cancelations may be required.  A decision with respect to such additional cancellations will be made by Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. 

Safety Measures:

• Secure all outdoor items such as lawn furniture, umbrellas, and other objects that can become air-bourn missiles in high winds.

• Make sure gutters and down spouts are in good order and discharge at least 6 feet away from your foundation.

• If power is lost and you have no generator, make sure you have a car charger for your cell phones.

• Stay off the roads during the storm.  Road conditions are expected to be extremely hazardous — at best.

• Emergency services will be using traffic barricaded and caution tape to mark-off/close down areas that are impassible due to downed trees and wires. DO NOT move or by-pass the barriers – they are there for your safety and you may be heading into live power lines on the ground.

• Never trust a down wire.  Just because it is not arcing and sparking it may still be live.  Even CL&P workers still use full protective gear when removing down wires.