Connecticut

Nonessential State Employees Sent Home Early; State Emergency Ops Center Open

Gov. Dannel Malloy announced Wednesday that nonessential state employees will be sent home early beginning at noon, and that second-shift nonessential state employees should not report to work due to the storm.

Releases will be staggered in 15-minute intervals to avoid traffic issues.

“We are also encouraging private sector businesses to consider similar plans. Travel will be dangerous this afternoon with white-out conditions at times – if you do not need to be on the road this afternoon and evening, please stay safely at home," Malloy wrote in a statement.

Some large companies in the state also closed or plan to send employees home early. Aetna decided to close its corporate office in Hartford at noon. Cigna advised employees to consult with the managers about working from home, and planned to close down services at the Bloomfield location at 12:30 p.m. United Healthcare chose to close its Hartford office and have employees work from home.

The governor will also partially activate the state’s Emergency Operations Center beginning at 11 a.m. Wednesday.

The center will monitor storm conditions across the state. 

Wednesday’s storm could dump over a foot of snow on northwestern Connecticut. A winter storm watch has been issued for New London County and a winter storm warning has been issued for the rest of the state. The brunt of the storm will be between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.

For a detailed breakdown of the forecast, click here or watch NBC Connecticut’s live coverage.

Contact Us