Emergency Management Director Steven Williams reports latest forecasts predicting Tropical Storm Henri to make landfall near Stonington along the Rhode Island border between 7PM and 8PM on Sunday evening. Expectations are that the weather event will hit Connecticut as a strong tropical storm with sustained winds of 70-85 mph.
Tropical Storm Henri is expected to bring 2 to 4 inches of rainfall in western and central Connecticut. This amount of precipitation may cause moderate urban flooding in western Connecticut.
Winds may gust 40 to 60 mph in western and central Connecticut. These wind speeds could cause moderate tree and powerline damage in western Connecticut
Winchester Civil Preparedness Unified Command, consisting of all public safety department heads, as well as the Department of Public Works Director, and local school superintendents, met this morning to discuss storm preparations. Unified command will meet again Saturday afternoon to further plan how the town government will respond to the storm.
Based on the future forecast for the storm, the town manager on Saturday may declare a state of emergency and direct the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to be opened and staffed for the storm.
Winchester Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and local amateur radio operators will be requested to staff the EOC, and other locations to be named later to provide backup communications for the town.
If there is an extended period of power loss in town, potable water and charging facilities will be available at the Winsted Fire Station on Elm Street and the Winchester Center Fire Station on Newfield Road.
Civil Preparedness will utilize the town website, the town's social media and WZBG radio station to keep residents informed of the Town’s response to the storm. If power loss prevents use of the internet and social media, copies of press releases will be placed at Town Hall, the Winsted Fire Station on Elm Street, and the Winchester Center Post Office for residents to garner more information.
If there is an extended power outage, there are currently two portable message sign boards at either end of town. These message boards will also be utilized to provide information to our residents.
Residents should be aware of the following locations that have emergency generator power for fuel, food, and supplies:
- Henny Penny gas station 33 New Hartford Road
- Stop and Shop Supermarket 200 New Hartford Road
- George’s Texaco Route 44 Colebrook
- True Value Hardware Store Main Street
Eversource continues to prepare for responding to power outages that may occur with the storm.
Please look forward to the next press release to be issued Saturday afternoon following a meeting planned for all town department heads.
Please remember to sign up to receive agendas and minutes through the Town's website E-Subscriber Services.