The Emergency Operations Center will be open throughout the storm.
Governor Dannel Malloy is asking residents to prepare for a significant snowstorm impacting Connecticut Monday evening through Tuesday. He declared a state of emergency, opened the Emergency Operations Center, and issued a travel ban on state highways as of 9:00 pm Monday.
Malloy said Bradley International Airport is closing to passengers at 7:00 pm Monday night. He said the last Metro-North train would leave Grand Central Station in New York City at 9:00 pm.
"Although storms can be unpredictable, this storm has the potential to have a significant impact on the state and we need to be prepared," Malloy said. "Just as the state is monitoring and preparing, the public should do the same."
The National Weather Service is forecasting a two-day snowfall of 20 to 30 inches in Connecticut, with winds gusting more than 30 mph to as much as 75 mph. The state is under a blizzard warning from 1:00 pm Monday until midnight Tuesday.
We want to clear the roads as quickly as possible. Please stay off the roads throughout duration of the storm & let the plows do their jobs
— Governor Dan Malloy (Archived) (@GovMalloyOffice) January 26, 2015
High winds during the storm could lead to power outages, Malloy said -- possibly 100,000 for Connecticut Light and Power customers, and 10,000 for United Illuminating customers. He anticipated late Monday that outages could last 24 to 48 hours.
To be prepared for the storm, Malloy recommended an emergency supply kit and basic preparation steps: Fill your car with gas, and check oil and windshield fluid levels; sign up for emergency alerts at ctalert.gov; and check on your neighbors.
Items to include in a kit are below:
- One gallon of bottled water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
- At least a three-day supply of non-perishable food for you and your pet
- A three-day supply of prescription medication
- Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- First aid kit
- A whistle to signal for help
- Moist towelettes
- Plastic trash bags and ties for personal sanitation
- Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
- Manual can opener
- Local maps
- Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger
- Extra fuel (stored in a safe container) for the power generator
The Emergency Operations Center will be open throughout the storm. "The Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS)is monitoring this storm very closely and is prepared to coordinate any potential state response," Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection Commissioner Dora B. Schriro said.
DEMHS is also participating in National Weather Service conference calls to get the latest information on the storms track, and is sending out regular updates to all municipalities and tribal nations.
At #CTDOT maintenance garage in #Wethersfield meeting with state workers as they prepare for the coming storm pic.twitter.com/JtWvFo0A7c
— Governor Dan Malloy (Archived) (@GovMalloyOffice) January 26, 2015
Malloy said the Connecticut Department of Transportation will have its entire fleet of of 600 trucks with snow plows, including 12 loader-mounted snow blowers, prepared to deploy. The residual road treatment from the previous weekend storm will help in the efforts to pretreat the roads.
Malloy has said he will provide the state with additional updates as conditions warrant.
This report includes information from The Associated Press.