A Winter Storm
Warning has been issued for all of Connecticut beginning at 7:00pm this
evening and extending until 1:00pm Thursday, December 17th.
Winter Storm Gail, the first major nor’easter of the
winter season, is expected to begin impacting Darien between 5pm and 8pm this
evening with heavy snow expected throughout the night. Accumulations of between 1 ½ and 3” per hour are
possible and may cause dangerous white-out conditions. Strong winds and wind
gusts of up to 40mph may cause power and communication system outages. Repairs
will not begin until storm conditions subside.
We recommend waiting 8 hours before clearing sidewalks as
town and state plows will move snow back onto sidewalks. In white-out
conditions, plow drivers cannot see pedestrians or pets. Do not walk or run anywhere near roadways
where plows are actively plowing. If you must walk outside near roadways during
the storm, wear high-visibility clothing.
Non-essential travel on local and state roadways tonight
and tomorrow is strongly discouraged. Police, Fire and EMS responding to
stranded motorists and minor traffic incidents slows response to more serious
storm related emergencies. Moving and removing snow from a large storm event
must occur in stages. Keeping roads
passable for emergency vehicles is our first priority. Widening drivable areas
will follow once the storm has concluded and may take several days.
Please check in with neighbors who may be less capable of
managing during a storm event of this magnitude. Temperatures will be well
below freezing for the next several evenings. The Town will assess the need for
warming centers as the need arises.
Darien Public Schools are in remote-learning status and
the Darien Library is close on Thursday, December 16th
Do not call 911 for routine storm questions. 911 lines must stay open for life-threatening
and emergency calls only.
Emergency Contacts
Emergency/Life-Safety: 911
Police Non-Emergency: (203)662-5300
Emergency
Operations Center: DarienEOC@darienct.gov
Eversource:
Power Outages:
800-286-2000
Online @ https://www.eversource.com/CustomerCare/ReportOutage
Altice
(Optimum): Residential Customer Service: 866-950-3278
Message Optimum @ optimum.net/chat
Tweet to @Optimumhelp
Frontier: Damaged poles, downed
wires/cable: 877-486-5667
Aquarion: Daytime- 800-732-9678
Emergency Answering Service:
888-234-3128
STAY SAFE!