Earl Update: Latest Forecast is New Canaan Will Be Spared

Hurricane Earl is not expected to have any significant impact to southwestern Connecticut, and New Canaan's Director of Emergency Preparedness Dave Jonkers does not have plans to activate the town's emergency center operation. 

"Hurricane tracking is unpredictable, and the forecast could change," Jonkers said. "and if it does we'll be sure to notify the residents."

In a conversation following a Tuesday afternoon conference call with Gov. M. Jodi Rell and other emergency preparedness directors from across Connecticut, Jonkers said there is still a lot of preparation going on at the state level. 

"It looks like New London would be more impacted at this point," Jonkers said. "After it passes Cape Hateras Thursday afternoon we'll know more. "

If the storm tracks more westward after passing Cape Hateras, New Canaan could see more severe weather conditions over the Labor Day weekend.

"If there's a change, we'll be able to move very quickly," Jonkers said. "We've been through this before. We know what to do. We know how to mobilize.

Jonkers has been in contact with town officials, keeping them apprised of the storm so they will be prepared if the situation changes.

For now, Jonkers is asking residents to register with the town's Emergency Call Out System. "The takeaway from the March storm is that we want redundancies on communication," he said. "Register cell phones and land lines. In March, 62 percent of the town didn't have power so their land lines were out. We need to have the ability to communicate with residents."

Register for the town's Emergency Call Out System at  http://www.newcanaan.info/content/5689/default.aspx.