[Update 5PM] Hurricane Sandy: Suffield Info Center

Update, 5 p.m.

The town emergency management department just sent out a message through the CodeRED alert system with the following information:

• The highest winds are expected to arrive in Suffield between now and midnight.
• The shelter is open at the high school through Tuesday afternoon.
• Any non-emergency questions or concerns about the storm should be directed to the emergency operations call center at (860) 668-3886.

Update, 4:45 p.m.

The shelter is currently housing about 30 people, who have been provided light snacks, soup and sandwiches.

Shelter residents will be provided three full meals a day. "We are fully prepared," shelter manager Angelo DiMauro said.

Update, 4 p.m.

About 20 people have entered shelter, which is now open at the Suffield High School, according to Emergency Management Director John Woods.

Despite the wind picking up speed, the town is in pretty good shape at the moment, Woods said in a phone interview. Thus far, CL&P crews have been able to quickly responded to two calls for trees on wires, the first being at the town's WPCA plant and the second on Hill Street.

The water pollution control plant switched to a backup generator when the power went out and crews restored the electricity to the plant within an hour, Woods said. A transformer fire caused by downed tree limbs caused the outage on Hill Street. Woods said CL&P estimates that power will be restored to that area sometime before 5 p.m. today.

Woods said extensive pre-planning and coordination between state and private agencies, such as Connecticut Light & Power, increase the chances of a better response time.

As the day progresses into night, Woods reminds residents to take shelter and to stay off the town roads. As an additional precaution, make sure all political signs have been stored out of the weather and all generators are hooked up correctly, not inside a house or a garage.

To receive timely updates on conditions in Suffield, check back to Suffield Patch and also register for the town's new CodeRED alert system. The municipal alert system has the capability of reaching all residents with emergency information and important details. You can register for the for the system on the town's website.

Update, 2 p.m.

Patch correspondent Wendy Mitzel reports power outages in West Suffield. A check of the CL&P outage map shows 74 customers are currently without power in Suffield.

Original Story

As we hunker down to ride out Hurricane Sandy, we want to make sure that Suffield stays connected. For live updates during the storm, be sure to download our App for your smartphone or tablet and 'like' Suffield Patch on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

As you send us messages through social media, email (tim.jensen@patch.com) and text message (860-422-3338), we’ll make sure the information is added here to this story. If you notice wires down or a tree across the road, please alert authorities and then let us know so we can spread the word quickly. You can comment right on this story to make sure readers know what’s going on in your neighborhood.

The effects of Irene and the October snowstorm from last year are hard for us to forget and at times, water and batteries were scarce about town. You can share info about where to find these items and who has gotten the latest delivery by commenting here.

Suffield Patch is all about connecting neighbors and helping neighbors so we hope you’ll find this information hub helpful as we brave the storm together.

Stay safe, Suffield!

Emergency Numbers:

In addition to signing up for the new CodeRED notifications and CTAlert, residents are urged to have the following emergency numbers and websites on hand:

Emergency only (police, fire and ambulance): 911
Routine Police and Fire Department calls: 860-668-3870 for police and 860-668-3888 for fire
Poison Control: 800-222-1222
Emergency Operations Center (includes shelter): 860-668-3886 (after 9 a.m. Monday)
Power Outage: 800-286-2000

If you have not signed up for the town's mass notification system visit the town's website at www.suffieldtownhall.com and click on the CodeRED invitation at the bottom of the page. Create an account and enter your emergency contact information. This will allow you to receive emergency information via telephone, e-mail, text message, etc.

Openings/Closings:

Suffield Public Schools are closed Monday and Tuesday

Suffield town offices closed Monday and Tuesday.

Suffield emergency shelter will open Monday at noon at Suffield High School.

Manchester and Asnuntuck community colleges have canceled classes and activities and closed offices for Monday.

Connecticut Light & Power:

Outage Map

Facebook

Twitter

Emergency Operations Center:

The Suffield EOC will open at 9 a.m. on Monday at the town hall on Mountain Road. Residents with questions can call 860-668-3886.

Tips:

Take a walk around the outside of your house. Do you still have patio furniture, political signs or other items that could get swept up in a gust? It's best to take them inside for now until the wind receeds.

Other Stuff:

Gov. Dannel Malloy issued an executive order Sunday evening extending the deadline for in-person voter registration in Connecticut to Thursday, Nov. 1, at 8 p.m. for those who intend to vote in the upcoming election. The deadline had originally been scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 30, at 8 p.m.