Emergency Management Director Steve Williams reminds residents that the National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for Monday, February 1, 2021 and Tuesday, February 2, 2021 that is forecast to bring from twelve to eighteen inches of snow to the area. Strong winds are also forecast and blowing and drifting snow can be expected.
The Town Manager, local school officials, Department of Public Works, and all public safety departments have been updated on the current forecast and are prepared to respond to the storm.
Eversource has been in email contact with Town government officials to notify us that they are making preparations for response to the storm. An Eversource liaison with our town will be contacting us tomorrow to work with the Town on any power outages that occur and to assist in re-opening blocked roads for emergency responders. Please click here to report power outage directly to Eversource.
Residents should prepare for the possibility of power outages by making sure they charge cell phones, have a supply of water for drinking and for other uses, and have a portable radio with extra batteries to listen to local radio stations for information from local and state government officials.
Should there be extended power outages, arrangements will be made for the Winsted and Winchester Fire Stations to make available charging stations and water for residents to use.
Winchester CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) volunteers have been placed on standby for activation to assist town officials if needed.
A request has been made to the local coordinator for the ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Services to have ham radio operators on standby to assist the town with communications issues should they develop. If there is an extended power outage inn the Winchester Center area, ham radio operators will be asked to staff a radio station at the Winchester Center Fire House to provide communications assistance to residents in Winchester Center that need assistance.
A town-wide parking ban goes into effect at 7AM Monday morning and remains in effect until 7PM on Tuesday evening. Any vehicles in violation of the parking ban will be ticketed and towed.