Malloy: Prepare For Hurricane Irene

Hurricane a comin'! Well, it looks like it might, according to the national weather experts.

With this in mind, state officials are sounding an alarm in hopes of getting enough people's attention so that they can help prepare for the possibility that Hurricane Irene (as of Wednesday night a Category 3 hurricane) will come barreling ashore.

To this end, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and state emergency services officials put out a news release reminding residents and businesses to prepare for storms that could affect Connecticut. 

The governor will lead a call with the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection and state agency department heads on Thursday to receive an update on Hurricane Irene as it travels toward the East Coast and any preparations underway.

“Our priority is to ensure the safety and welfare of Connecticut residents,” the governor said in a news release Wednesday. 

“Last winter during record snow, residents aided efforts immensely by following the advice of our emergency services personnel and staying off the roads. We are urging people to stay informed during hurricane season as well – if bad weather is going to impact the state, we will be ready, and want residents to be prepared too,” he said.

State emergency service Commissioner Reuben F. Bradford recommended that residents “take three simple preparedness steps: get a kit, make a plan, and stay informed.”

“We cannot become complacent, it is vital that we are prepared,” Bradford said in a prepared release.

State emergency preparedness officials are holding daily conference calls with the members of the National Weather Service and FEMA throughout the day and will update municipal officials on the storm’s track.

“Although hurricanes are unpredictable, this storm has the potential to impact Connecticut and we need to be prepared,” state emergency services Deputy Commissioner Peter Boynton said in a release.

“Because a shift in the track of the hurricane of just a few miles can have a significant impact on the state, it is important to stay informed by listening to TV and Radio and heed the warnings of public safety officials,” he said

State officials offered these tips to be prepared and stay safe:

Have a basic emergency kit on hand to include:

• One gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
• A three-day supply of non-perishable food
• 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
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Local maps
• Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger

Establish a family emergency plan to include:

• Identify an out-of town contact. It may be easier to make a long-distance phone call than to call across town, so an out-of-town contact may be in a better position to communicate among separated family members.
• Be sure every member of your family knows the phone number and can call the emergency contact. If you have a cell phone, program that person(s) as "ICE" (In Case of Emergency) in your phone. If you are in an accident, emergency personnel will often check your ICE listings in order to get a hold of someone you know. Make sure to tell your family and friends that you’ve listed them as emergency contacts.
• Teach family members how to use text messaging. Text messages can often get around network disruptions when a phone call might not be able to get through.
• Subscribe to alert services. Many communities/states now have systems that will send instant text alerts or e-mails to let you know about bad weather, road closings, local emergencies, etc. In Connecticut, go to www.ct.gov/ctalert to register for alerts.