2011

Posted by Bob on August 26, 2011 under Daily Blogs | Be the First to Comment

Borough officials representing all pertinent department met this morning to discuss preparations for Hurricane Irene, which is scheduled to reach Connecticut sometime in late morning or early afternoon on Sunday (8/28/2011). As many of you know, hurricanes are difficult to predict with precise accuracy regarding timing, location and severity. Please continue to monitor the latest weather forecasts as they become available. A good site with forecast information is StormPulse.com, which can be accessed by linking here.

The most important thing all residents can do is to be prepared individually for Hurricane Irene. Governor Dannel P. Malloy has devoted an entire page on the state’s website containing pertinent information regarding hurricane announcements, preparation, resources and forecasts.

Preparations should be made now for Hurricane Irene. Stores are already emptying of basic supplies such as non-perishable foods, bottled water, batteries and other important items that can help residents survive during power outages that are expected to impact the entire state. Residents who may be living alone are urged to make preparations to stay with relatives during the duration of the storm if at all possible. Residents with cell phones and/or mobile computing devices are advised to ensure batteries are charged completely. If possible, regular or “land-line” phone that do not require electricity to function should be kept available.

The Borough does not have facilities with back-up power supplies to shelter large numbers of residents. The best practice is “shelter-at-home” unless there is a true emergency situation. Individual evacuations will be made on a case-by-case basis in life-threatening situations by trained emergency management personnel. Please remember that this weather event will not be isolated to Naugatuck, and other communities will be struggling to respond. Mutual aid from other municipalities will be limited if at all during the brunt of the storm. Regional efforts, many through the Red Cross, will be coordinated for the aftermath. Residents who use life support devices that require electricity may call 911 during power outages if emergency power is needed. Limited space is available at various locations throughout the Borough and decisions and placements will be made by trained emergency management personnel on a case-by-case basis.

Severe flooding is extremely likely regardless of the ultimate direction Irene takes. While Department of Public Works (“DPW”) crews are taking all precautionary measures to lessen the impact of flooding, there will be no way to prevent flooding if we receive the amounts of rain (some forecasts include ten to fifteen inches of rain) predicted. Limited sand bags are available at the Department of Public Works and will be rationed at the discretion of the Borough. The Recycling Center will be open during regular hours on Saturday from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Residents who have the means to purchase bags privately may fill limited amounts of bags from the available sand at the Recycling Center during such hours, again at the discretion of the Borough. DPW needs to maintain significant amounts of sandbags for public use to respond to incidents during and after the storm. Despite the stressful conditions, we ask residents to be mindful and respectful of others when requesting and ultimately using sandbags.

The Borough will activate our Emergency Operations Center from the Naugatuck Police Department beginning on Sunday (8/28/2011) at 10:00 AM. A state of emergency will be declared effective on 12:00 Noon, Saturday, August 27, 2011. Such a declaration allows the Borough the authority to procure any necessary contractors outside the regular bidding process to respond effectively to storm-related issues. Other powers allowed to the mayor by the declaration would be implemented on an as-needed basis.

At the time Irene reaches the Borough in full impact, it may be impossible for the Borough to respond to all but life-threatening situations. Emergency management recommendations urge municipalities not to place public safety and public works personnel in wind conditions that exceed seventy (70) miles per hour (“mph”). Residents are urged to contact 911 only for true, life-threatening emergencies. Please remember to stay away from all downed power lines.

Additional updates will be posted as they become available.