The State of Connecticut has activated its severe cold weather protocol effective Dec 4 at 3:00pm and it will remain in effect until Tuesday, Dec 9, at 12:00 noon.
Temperatures are forecast to average 10 to 20 degrees below the normally expected temperatures for early December during this time. Temperatures are expected to dip into the single digits with wind chills making it feel close to zero in most of Connecticut away from the immediate coast.
During this time First Selectman Fred Camillo urges residents to be careful with their well-being, avoid prolonged exposure to the cold and take advantage of the Town’s warming centers if needed.
The Greenwich Police Department’s John Margenot Atrium will be open to members of the public 24 hours. People can come to the Public Safety Complex at 13 Bruce Place off of Greenwich Avenue to get out of the cold and charge personal electronic devices like their phones if needed.
Additionally, Greenwich Library and its branches in Cos Cob and Byram will be open during their regular business hours. On Friday, Monday and Tuesday, the main branch of Greenwich Library will be open from 9 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. On Saturday it will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on Sunday it will be open from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
People can make use of it as a warming center, charge their devices or use the Internet if they lose service.
Hours for the Byram Shubert Library, Cos Cob Library and the independent Perrot Memorial Library in Old Greenwich are all posted online here.
The Bendheim Western Greenwich Civic Center and Cohen Eastern Greenwich Civic Centers can also be used as warming centers during their normal hours of operation.
People in need of emergency shelter are asked to call 2-1-1 under the state’s protocol. People looking for more information locally can find it by going to the Town’s Emergency Management web page at www.greenwichct.gov/435/Emergency-Management.
In the case of a police, fire or EMS emergency, people should dial 911 for immediate assistance.
For other issues there are emergency helplines people can call:
Aquarion Water Company: 1-800-732-9678
Eversource : 1-800-286-2000
CT Natural Gas Company: 1-203-869-6900
Optimum/Altice: 1-866-950-3278
Frontier Communications: 1-800-239-4430
The Town’s Department of Health is warning residents to take caution during the frigid temperatures and protect themselves against the risk of hypothermia and frostbite. When outdoors, people should wear loose layers of clothing along with a with hat, gloves, scarf and insulated shoes. People should limit their time outdoors and avoid the use of alcohol.
People are also being urged to be careful when using alternative heating sources in their home such as space heaters and fireplaces. The Department of Health said their use increases the risk of household fires and carbon monoxide poisoning.
For proper safety, people should not use portable generators or gasoline-powered equipment inside their homes or garages and never use gas or charcoal grills in the house or garage. People should also have a carbon monoxide detector for their home.