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"Safety is the utmost priority. If there is a power outage, repairs will be made when it is safe to do so," First Selectman Jim Marpe said in a message to residents. "At the height of the storm, due to high winds and potential for impassable roads, CL&P will not send lineman to repair downed wires until it is safe to do so."
The town has snow plows and supplies ready with 15 to 30 inches of snow possible in town. Key personnel will remain at a Public Works facility to ensure that the streets can become passable for emergency vehicles and residents in as short a time as possible, Marpe said. He also warned that there may be shoreline flooding, power outages and downed wires, and that frigid temperatures may create additional hardships for some residents, particularly the elderly.
Westport is in contact with CL&P and the Emergency Operations Center will provide storm updates via the town's Code Red system. Visit the town website to sign up for Code Red. Residents with further questions or concerns may contact the Emergency Operations Center at 203-341-5000.
Residents can report power outages by calling CL&P at 800-286-2000.
Additional information will also be available on the town website, on the town's Facebook page,on Twitter, and on Staples Radio, WWPT, 90.3 FM. The Westport/Weston Health District also has information on its website.
All schools will be closed Tuesday.
Westport residents are advised not to drive, and not to park their cars on town roads as it may impede snow removal and prevent emergency access, Marpe said. If a power outage is anticipated, residents may wish to increase the thermostat temperature in their homes a few degrees to build up residual heat. Residents should also check in on neighbors who may require additional assistance.
"The current expectation is that this will be a shelter-in-place event," Marpe said. "The safest place to spend this evening and tomorrow is warm at home. However, if you are using your fireplace or woodstove, please use utmost caution and let the ashes remain in the fireplace for several days until there are no remaining embers. If you are using portable space heaters in your home, be extremely careful and remember that space heaters require space — nothing that can burn should be within three feet of any part of the heater."
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