(Updated) Southington Plans for '48 Hours of Severe Weather'

(Updated: 3:41 p.m.)
From Southington Town Manager Garry Brumback:
During the next 48 hours we are expecting severe weather with heavy snow and bitter cold. The following are the actions we are taking to prepare:

1. Highway staff is on duty and will remain so until the snow storm has passed. They have pretreated most of the roads and all are passable. They will start to plow when conditions warrant it and will bring the contractors in when the heavy snow begins to fall.
2. Calendar House and the Library will be open and serve as “warming shelters” during normal duty hours tomorrow. We don’t expect power outages so there are no plans to provide food or off hours shelter.
3. Community Service Director Janet Mellon is coordinating with a local hotel to make sure we have a few rooms available if needed for homeless needing shelter. The Police and Fire departments have been alerted to be on the lookout for those needing assistance.
4. Schools released early today and are planning to discuss how to respond tonight but will probably make the call in the morning.
5. If the roads are really bad for the morning commute I will delay opening Town offices until 10 a.m.

(Updated: 1:54 p.m.)
The first winter storm of 2014 is already making an impact, forcing closures and impacting travel conditions as Southington braces for a storm that weather experts are saying will drop around six inches of snow on town.

Southington schools closed on a half-day schedule, dismissing early to avoid evening troubles, and the town has placed a parking ban in effect from 4 p.m. Thursday until further notice. Activities in town, including all evening Parks and Recreation activities, have also been cancelled or rescheduled.

Southington Public Library continues to operate under normal hours, but staff said they could make a determination to close earlier depending on how conditions develop.

“Due to Southington Public School closures, the Parks & Recreation Department's Arts & Crafts for Individuals with Special Needs, all Southington Youth Basketball (practices and the rescheduled draft for boys in grades 10-12) and Youth Wrestling activities scheduled for today have been cancelled,” the department said in a release.

The Youth Basketball draft has been rescheduled for Jan. 5 from Noon to 2 p.m. Contact Bill Haman, coordinator for the 10-12 grade group, at (860) 628-4408 with any questions.

According to the National Weather Service, Southington is expected to see around six inches of snowfall, with most falling during the overnight hours. Up to an inch is expected during the day and early evening Thursday, as well as during the day on Friday.

The weather will also bring cold temperatures, leading the state to open emergency shelters.

“Partially activating the State Emergency Operations Center will allow us to quickly respond to any problems that may arise and coordinate any resources that may be needed across the state as we head into the height of the storm tonight,” Gov.  Dannel P. Malloy said. 

“In addition to the winter storm, we are also warning residents to be prepared for a severe cold weather outbreak. Yesterday, I directed the Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security to work with our social services agency to activate the state severe cold weather protocol which enables us to help our most vulnerable populations access sheltering.  If you are in need of a shelter, please call 2-1-1.”

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