People in Old Lyme are being urged to prepare despite an improving forecast that takes Hurricane Joaquin further from the coast.
Laurie Mattson’s home sits not far from the Connecticut River in Old Lyme.
“I panic slowly,” says Mattson.
Three years ago, Mattson watched as Sandy sent water pouring into her neighborhood. Her basement flooded.
In other areas of town, the storm battered homes and transformed streets into sand dunes.
Now as Hurricane Joaquin brews near the Bahamas, Old Lyme town leaders are already acting.
“We’re reaching out to people saying you need to look at your yards, you need to look at your resources, you need to look at your plan, and prepare for a storm,” says Bonnie Reemsnyder, Town of Old Lyme First Selectwoman.
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Firefighters and other town departments are checking their buildings and fuel supplies.
People in town are urged to sign up for “Old Lyme Alerts.” A text, email, or call lets people know about an emergency, including hurricanes.
“The most important thing that we have to do in a storm is to be able to communicate with people,” says Reemsnyder.
Back by the river, Mattson is most concerned with storm water ruining her well.
For now it’s less about worrying and more about watching the forecast.
“I’m not scared,” says Mattson.
The first selectwoman says hundreds of people have signed up for those alerts. You can do that at town hall or on the town website.
