Eastern Connecticut is gearing up for a cold end to 2017 with meteorologists anticipating weather dipping into the teens and the possibility of snow in the coming days.
On Tuesday, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy activated the state's severe cold weather protocol, which is slated to stay in effect until Jan. 2, for the first time this winter season.
Though the weather in Norwich was stuck in the mid-20s on Tuesday, forecasters said the thermometer would be dipping into the single digits overnight and hit a negative wind chill throughout the week.
“With bitter cold temperatures expected over the next couple of days, we must all take precautions and continue to protect the most vulnerable among us,” Malloy said in a press release Tuesday. “If anyone is in need of shelter, call 211 to find the nearest available location. I also encourage local communities to consider opening warming centers or other facilities to assist those in need.”
Norwich's Director of Emergency Management Ken Scandariato said he had not been notified to activate warming shelters as of mid-day Tuesday, though he said the town is prepared to do so. Scandariato said he would be notified by Michael Caplet, region 4 coordinator at the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, to open the shelters.
With the impending weather, he recommended residents check the batteries in their smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and drain any water out of their homes' exterior pipes to prevent freezing.
Running water at a trickle or opening cabinet doors to allow the circulation of warm air can help prevent pipes from freezing as well, according to Red Cross.
During severe cold, Red Cross recommends layering clothes, keeping warming devices three feet away from flammable materials and turning off unattended space heaters. Red Cross also reminds people to keep pets warm during cold weather and keep them inside.
With the holidays, many are expected to be traveling and Scandariato advised drivers to exercise extra caution while driving in the coming days, especially in "trouble areas" that may be plagued by ice.
"Those are more hazardous driving spots where patches of ice could cause a problem," he said. "It's hilly roads like the Laurel Hill area or Harland Road or streets in the inner city. People who live in those neighborhoods know it can be danegrous. But if people are just passing through, they may not realize."
However, his biggest reminder to people driving during the cold weather is to put the cell phones down and focus on the roads.
By noon on Tuesday, AAA in Greater Hartford had responded to more than 600 calls, many of which were cars sitting idle on the side of the road.
“Being stuck along the side of the road is inconvenient at any time of year but at this time of year, in the extreme cold, it is potentially unsafe for drivers and passengers alike,” says Amy Parmenter, spokesperson for AAA in Greater Hartford. “No one should be leaving their homes, or the homes they are visiting over the holiday, in a vehicle that is not winter ready.”
Parmenter estimated the agency would respond to more than 1,000 calls by the end of the day Tuesday. She recommends making sure tires are inflated for cold weather, checking that batteries are strong and packing a cold weather emergency kit in the car.