Gov. Dannel Malloy is asking residents of flood-prone areas to evacuate voluntarily and local officials in vulnerable areas are asking the same thing amid concerns over high waves along the shore and flooding inland.
In Branford, officials are asking any Thimble Islands residents who refuse to leave to sign a waiver. It basically states that they won't be rescued later on, the deputy fire chief told NBC Connecticut They must also provide information on next of kin.
Milford has issued a mandatory evacuation for the streets on the attached document.
Malloy is calling for residents on the lower Sound from East Haven to Greenwich to evacuate.
In Shelton, there is a mandatory evacuation for residents of the Maples by 6 p.m. on Saturday.
The following communities calling for voluntary evacuations and more could come in.
- Greenwich
- Guilford
- Milford
- New Haven
- Old Saybrook
- Westbrook
- West Haven
New Haven officials are considering mandatory evacuations along East Shore because they're worried about storm surges since the storm will hit at high tide. Mayor John DeStefano is urging residents in flood-prone areas to evacuate and be prepared for no electricity. Emergency shelters are open and continue to open through the night.
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"We're not planning on moving three-and-a-half million people," Malloy said. "We can't do that. What we're asking is that all of our citizens who are capable of doing that themselves do it now."
Greenwich residents in low-lying areas should seek shelter on higher ground no later than 7 p.m. on Saturday. A list of affected streets is posted on the city of Greenwich Web site.
Old Saybrook firefighters have been going door-to-door, telling people to leave their homes. A voluntary evacuation is in effect for all residents who live south of the Route 1.
The City Of West Haven’s Emergency Operation Center is asking residents on the immediate shoreline or areas that normally flood to relocate and stay with relatives or friends.
Anyone who lives within half a mile of the coast in Guilford is under a voluntary evacuation order and First Selectman Joe Mazza said he expects a storm surge of up to 8 feet.
Milford Mayor James L. Richetelli Jr. urges shoreline residents, as well as residents who live in flood-prone areas throughout the city, to leave their homes by Saturday afternoon, when heavy rains are expected to begin.
When tropical force winds begin as anticipated Saturday night, it might be too late to evacuate, he said.
Westbrook’s Emergency Management Team is recommending that residents who live south of Route 1 and in trailer parks implement personal evacuation plans by 4 p.m. on Saturday.
Residents south of Route 1 are asked to park in the Westbrook High School parking lot if needed.
Anyone attending the Westbrook Muster on Saturday will be asked to leave the Muster by 8 p.m. and will not be able to stay overnight.
Westbrook’s Meals on Wheels Program will deliver extra meals today if requested and the Visiting Nurses have related to all of their clients the preparations needed and in place to secure their safety.
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