Portland Readies Shelter; Hurricane Sandy to Hit Area Monday

Portland schools are closed for the day, the high school’s emergency shelter is ready to be opened, and the town’s staff is mobilized to respond to any dangers that come about from the wrath of Hurricane Sandy.

“Unfortunately, we have a lot of experience with this,” First Selectwoman Susan Bransfield mentioned late Sunday, referring to the town’s emergency handlings of Tropical Storm Irene and the October snowstorm last year.

Portland, like East Hampton and many other towns in the state, have assembled the necessary supplies for its shelter, Bransfield said, but officials will wait to see how bad the storm affects the town before opening it.

The shelter — located at Portland High School, 95 High St. — could open as early as today, she said.

Bransfield encouraged residents to check for updates at the town’s website with regard to other emergency procedures. East Hampton-Portland Patch will also be posting daily updates both here and on our Facebook and Twitter pages.

In another bit of good news for the town: Bransfield said the town will be getting today its own designated Connecticut Light & Power power truck and tree cutting truck staged in town. She said the town secured those crews after a conference call with Gov. Dannel P. Malloy.

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