State, Newtown Officials

Brace For Hurricane Earl

By John Voket

Newtown’s Deputy Director of Disaster Preparedness Donna Culbert completed a conference call with state emergency management officials and Governor M. Jodi Rell Tuesday afternoon, and issued advice to residents in the event Hurricane Earl makes landfall in Connecticut by this weekend.

While state officials advised community emergency management officials to “keep an eye on storm track,” Ms Culbert said it is a good opportunity to establish or review home and business disaster preparedness, and be sure one’s home disaster kit is stocked and ready.

“It’s important to remember that we may not be affected by Earl, but hurricane season doesn’t officially end until November 30,” Ms Culbert said. “So it wouldn’t hurt to update or establish your home disaster kit now, because it will carry you through this winter season as well.”

Ms Culbert, who is also director of the regional health district, said residents should:

*Be sure to get gas in their vehicles;

*Be certain to have up-to-date contact info for loved ones, business associates, or employees;

*Stockpile two to three days worth of water, providing one gallon per person per day;

*Be sure to have adequate supplies and a secure location for pets or animals, especially if they spend time outside;

*Stock up on nonperishable food;

*Check that a first aid kit is stocked and available;

*Obtain any batteries required for flashlights or other devices;

*Consider obtaining a crank or battery radio;

*And be prepared to secure outdoor furnishings and other outdoor items that can be carried or upset by wind.

If the storm track becomes more imminently threatening, Ms Culbert said individuals should be prepared to secure their watercraft if it is docked on the ocean or on any inland waterway.

According to the state emergency officials participating in the Tuesday conference call, current forecasts and models project possible movement of Earl into the region by Friday.

A state Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security spokesman said the agency is working with the national weather service and FEMA to prepare for the Category 4 storm. The hurricane is being forecasted to remain over open ocean before turning north and running parallel to the US coast by late Thursday or early Friday.

Earl is projected then to curve back out to sea, perhaps brushing New England or far-eastern Canada.

Ms Culbert said the storm could bring urban flooding, but not river flooding; rainfall amounts are expected to be lighter, but high winds can be a problem. As the system begins moving closer to the US coast, Ms Culbert said she and other municipal representatives would be notified about additional conference calls with state emergency officials as needed.