(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont this morning updated Connecticut residents on the state’s response to the winter storm currently impacting the region. The State Emergency Operations Center has been activated in a virtual capacity since Wednesday evening to monitor the impacts to the state and respond as necessary.
Portions Connecticut saw heavy rates of snowfall during the overnight hours at rates of up to two inches per hour for several hours with northeast wind gusts reaching 30 to 40 miles per hour along the coast.
“Our Department of Transportation crews and their contractors have been out all night long clearing the roads, and I must express my gratitude to them, as well as the many residents who heeded our advice and stayed home during the peak hours of the storm, helping reduce the number of accidents,” Governor Lamont said. “I also want to thank the Connecticut State Police who have been out on the roads responding to calls and helping to ensure everyone’s safety. While the storm is not over just yet, I encourage everyone to stay home if you can, and if you must go out use extreme caution.”
As of 9:00 a.m. today, the Connecticut State Police responded to 583 calls for service, 46 motor vehicle accidents, and 131 motor vehicle assists.
As of 8:00 a.m. today, Eversource was reporting 356 power outages and United Illuminating/Avangrid were reporting 100 outages.
As frigid temperatures are expected to continue, Governor Lamont this morning ordered the state’s Severe Cold Weather protocol, which he activated as of 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, to be extended through 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 19. Approximately 30 shelters are open throughout Connecticut. Anyone in need of shelter should call 2-1-1 to be connected to these services.
The tractor trailer and tandem trailer truck travel ban on limited access highways statewide that went into effect at 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday has been lifted as of 9:00 a.m. this morning. During the duration of the travel ban, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection allowed interstate truck drivers to park their trucks at two state parks, including Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison and Sherwood Island State Park in Norwalk.
All bus and paratransit services statewide are expected to resume today at 12:00 p.m. CTtransit, CTtransit express, CTfastrak, and transit district bus services will operate with the first bus on each route scheduled for 12:00 p.m. or later.