As residents of the southeast evacuate their homes to get away from areas Hurricane Florence, officials in Connecticut are urging residents to prepare in the event that a major storm could strike here at some point.
Senate Democrats and first responders held a news conference at the New Haven Emergency Operations Center Thursday morning and said they are ready and prepared for a major weather event and now is the time for residents to prepare as well.
They encourage people to have a plan and supplies in place in the event of a major storm over the coming months, which is peak hurricane season.
”We do know that Connecticut has had a long history of deadly and damaging hurricanes, usually arriving between mid-August and late September, so we are in that prime time period right now," said Sen. Martin Looney (D-New Haven).
They also urge people to learn locations of shelters, make sure your cars are serviced, review your insurance policy and download the app "CT Prepares," which has tips for families to prepare for a storm and come up with an emergency plan. You can get the CT Prepares app from the Apple App store here or from Google Play here.
“It's great to have water, it's great to have your medications, but it's great to have a cell phone power pack because then, our third thing is staying informed. That will help you stay informed, because if you have no power in your cell phone, you’re not going to be able to make those connections to family to let them know where you are,” Rick Fontana, of emergency operations in New Haven, said.
CT Prepares allows users to:
- View real-time alerts
- View National Weather Service forecasts for your current location
- Access news and events from the Connecticut Emergency Management Agency
- Review preparation guides for different emergency situations
- Get in touch with a variety of emergency services
- Send an “I’m Safe” email message to your contacts via, text, email and social media
Hurricane Preparedness:
- Review your insurance policy.
- Learn locations of official shelters.
- Frequently listen to radio, TV or NOAA Weather Radio for official bulletins on the storm’s progress.
- Fuel and service your family vehicles.
- Ensure you have extra cash on hand.
- Buy food that will keep
- Store drinking water.
- Prepare to cover all windows and doors with shutters or other shielding materials.
- Check batteries and stock up on first aid supplies and medications.
- Bring in lightweight, outdoor objects such as garbage cans, garden tools, toys and lawn furniture.
- Trim trees and shrubbery so branches don’t fly into your home.
- Clear clogged rain gutters and downspouts.
- Decide where to move your boat.
- Determine safe evacuation routes inland.
- Notify neighbors and a family member outside the area of your evacuation plans.
- Take pets with you if possible, but remember, most public shelters do not allow pets other than those used by people with disabilities.
