UPDATE: Important Suffield Hurricane Info From First Selectman Tom Frenaye

Suffield Planning for Hurricane Irene - 8/27/11 update

A very good information source for hurricane preparation suggestions is the Ready.gov, a Web site prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Also check the Red Cross' Web site.

 This morning's update from the State emergency management offices indicates that Hurricane Irene is likely to have 60-plus mph winds when it arrives in northern Connecticut, with gusts approaching 80 mph. Rainfall estimates are now between 8 and 10 inches for all of western Connecticut. Winds will begin to increase significantly after Saturday midnight.

The worst part of the storm will be between sunrise and early afternoon on Sunday, but all travel and evacuations should take place before darkness Saturday night. Our recommendation is not to go out onto the roads at all on Sunday. It will be late Sunday when crews will be able to even start to remove dangerous downed power lines and begin to clear any debris. It may be well into Monday before roads are passable, and several days before power is restored.

This morning the following voice message was sent by Emergency Management Director John Woods to Suffield phone numbers:

This is the Town of Suffield Emergency Management with an important public announcement.

The Town of Suffield will be opening the emergency shelter at 10:00 this morning, at the High School on Sheldon St., for anyone who wants to use the facility. The shelter will remain open during and after the storm for as long as needed. Cots, blankets and pillows will be provided. We will have limited provisions available.

The shelter will have space available for pets. Pet owners will need to provide a crate and a rabies certificate.

Suffield Police are requesting that town residents stay off the roads during the storm unless it is an emergency, and remember to stay away from any downed wires.

If you have any questions call Suffield Town Hall at 860-668-3838.

The town does have a supply of sand bags available to residents.  Contact the Fire Department for information.  Sand is available at the Highway garage on Ffyler Place.

As always, report emergencies via 911, and if you have more routine problems to report, contact Town Hall at 860-668-3838, the Police Department at 860-668-3870, Fire Department at 860-668-3888, Public Works at 860-668-3890, or Ambulance at 860-668-3881.

Tom Frenaye

First Selectman

860-668-3838

Suffield Planning for Hurricane Irene – 8/26/11 update

A very good information source for hurricane preparation suggestions is the Ready.gov Web site prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Also check redcross.org.

In a conference call with Governor Malloy this morning, he indicated that Hurricane Irene is likely to have more impact on Connecticut since any other storm since 1938.  The forecast still suggests more than 6 inches of rain and sustained winds of more than 70 mph, approaching 100 mph in gusts.  

This is a storm to take very seriously. If your road or house has been flooded in the past, expect it to do so again. Sustained winds are expected to be over 45 mph starting late Saturday night and continuing until Sunday afternoon, with several hours of winds above 70 mph from sunrise until noon on Sunday. The exact times and impact are still subject to change as the storm is more than 24 hours away.

This means that during the worst part of the storm, it will not be possible to dispatch fire trucks, an ambulance or even police cars. You need to take personal responsibility for your own safety and that of your family members.  Make sure to have several days’ worth of supplies before the storm arrives (water, food, medicines, etc). 

The time to relocate is on Saturday, not Sunday. The Shelter at Suffield High School will open as of mid-day on Saturday. If you plan to stay at the shelter and want to bring your dog or cat, each one must have a cage. Also bring a leash, food, medicines, etc.

Power is likely to be out for several days. In Hurricane Gloria in 1985, a smaller storm, some Suffield residents were without power for a week. Traffic lights may be out for several days. If so, all vehicles should act as if there were stop signs in each direction.

Do not plan to drive anywhere on Sunday.  The priority has to be on safety and clearing the damage. Please let state and town workers clean up the trees and downed wires after the storm passes. Do not attempt to clear trees that have fallen into the road as there may be live wires that have to be de-energized.  Any power outages should be reported to Connecticut Light & Power at 860-947-2000 or 1-800-286-2000, or via its Web site.

It is possible that flooding of Muddy Brook will make it impossible to go across town during the storm, so the Ambulance Association will have medical resources available at the Copper Hill Fire Station at Babbs Corner in West Suffield.

Suffield parks will be closed at sunset on Saturday and will not open on Sunday.

We will keep the shelter open at Suffield High School as long as there is a need to use it. The first day of school is Tuesday, Aug. 30, but that may be delayed. The school administration is communicating directly with parents on changes in plans.  

Refuse collection may be delayed by a day or two because of the storm. Do not put out any trash bins until Monday morning, wait until the storm has moved out of the area. The town’s landfill will be open two extra days next week, 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Monday through Thursday, plus Saturday, to accommodate storm debris.

If you have trees to be removed, this link from UConn has information on hiring a tree contractor.

As always, report emergencies via 911, and if you have more routine problems to report, contact Town Hall at 860-668-3838, the Police Department at 860-668-3870, Fire Department at 860-668-3888, Public Works at 860-668-3890 or Ambulance at 860-668-3881.

Tom Frenaye

First Selectman

860-668-3838