The governor is activating the state’s Severe Cold Weather Protocol from Thursday evening through Saturday morning because of the forecast for extreme cold and wind chills below zero.
“As we experience our first bitterly cold weather of the winter season, I am activating our severe cold weather protocol to initiate essential services that will help protect our most vulnerable,” Gov. Dannel Malloy said in a statement. “Anyone in need of shelter is urged to call 211 to find the nearest available locations. I am also encouraging local communities to consider opening warming centers or other facilities to assist people in need.”
Local
While temperatures on Thursday will be in the 20s, strong winds are expected Thursday night and wind gusts could reach 50 mph, which would push wind chills into the 10 to 20 below range.
Actual air temperatures Friday morning will be in the single digits above and below zero.Friday's high will only be near 20 degrees.
A winter storm moves in Saturday, and it will begin as accumulating snow. A few inches are possible.
While activated, the severe weather protocol directs staff from the state’s Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, the Department of Social Services, the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and the Department of Housing to coordinate with 2-1-1 and Connecticut’s network of shelters to ensure that the state’s most vulnerable populations are protected from the severe cold weather.
DESPP’s Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security will activate its WebEOC communications network, an internet-based system that enables local, regional and state emergency management officials and first responders to share up-to-date information about a variety of situations and conditions. The system is used to monitor capacity at shelters across the state, enabling 2-1-1 to act as a clearinghouse to assist in finding shelter space for those who need it. Local officials, working through WebEOC, can alert 2-1-1 and the state when they open temporary shelters or warming centers.
DSS and DOH will coordinate with 2-1-1 and the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness, along with community-based providers, to provide transportation for people seeking shelter.
DMHAS will deploy teams that specialize in working with people who are homeless to locate those who are at risk, spread the word about the 2-1-1 system, and encourage them to take shelter. It also works with shelters to assess and meet the needs of individual clients.
In addition to being able to call 2-1-1 over the telephone, a regularly updated list of open shelters and warming centers across the state is made available online at www.211ct.org.
