Community Corner

State Braces for High Winds

Emergency Operations Center to be partially activated.

 

Governor Dannel P. Malloy will partially activate the state’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at 8 a.m. Saturday to monitor and manage any possible wind-related issues that may occur throughout the state.

“After talking with my emergency management officials and assessing the situation, we will be partially activating the EOC at 8 a.m. tomorrow,” Governor Malloy said in a press release. “This will allow us to quickly respond to and coordinate any problems that may arise as a result of Saturday’s potentially high winds.”

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Currently, a High Wind Warning has been issued for Windham, New London and Southern Middlesex Counties, which takes effect overnight, with the strongest winds expected after daybreak tomorrow. A High Wind Warning means a hazardous high wind event is expected with sustained wind speeds of at least 40 MPH and gusts possibly in excess of 58 MPH.  A Wind Advisory has been issued for the rest of the state.

The EOC will be staffed by the Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, Division of the State Police, Department of Public Health, Department of Transportation, Military Department, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, State Fire Coordination, and the state’s utilities.

Find out what's happening in East Hampton-Portlandwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Connecticut Light & Power (CL&P) also has announced it will open its Emergency Operations Center in Berlin Saturday at 5 a.m. in preparation for any power problems caused by the forecasted high winds.

Line and tree crews have been pre-staged and ready in various locations across the 149 cities and towns the company services.

"We are making sure we are ready to go if the winds cause issues," Jim Muntz, CL&P president and chief operating officer, said in a statement released Friday night. "The line crews, the tree crews, all support staff and additional contract resources are all standing by."

In the meantime, CL&P is reminding customers:

  • Any storm could result in power outages, so we urge all customers to be prepared with a "Lights Out" kit containing a flashlight, fresh water, prescription medicine, prepared foods, cash and other items needed if the lights go out. It's also wise to fill your car's gas tank.
  • Report your power outage by calling CL&P at 800-286-2000.  Our automated phone system rapidly processes your report and helps us speed restoration efforts.  It also provides restoration estimates as soon as they’re available.
  • Stay away from all downed wires. Assume any downed, hanging or burning power lines are live and dangerous and call 9-1-1 immediately.  If a power line falls on your vehicle while you’re inside, stay there.  Don’t touch anything outside the vehicle and wait for emergency crews.
  • Before operating a generator, make sure it has been properly installed by a licensed electrician.  Improperly installed generators can feed electricity back into power lines and pose a deadly situation for our line workers. Always operate generators outdoors to avoid carbon monoxide hazards.


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