Prepare For ‘Largest Snowstorm In A Decade,’ CT Officials Say

by Viktoria Sundqvist

WETHERSFIELD, CT – State officials are urging residents to stay home and stay off the roads Sunday into Monday morning as Connecticut prepares for “the largest snowstorm in a decade.”

“The fewer vehicles out on the roads on Sunday will make all our jobs safer,” said state Department of Transportation Commissioner Garrett T. Eucalitto during a Friday afternoon news conference. “Put on a pot of sauce, open some wine and watch football.”

DOT has prepared 650 pieces of equipment and has 900 plow truck drivers ready to go, Eucalitto said. Sand and salt have been loaded up and 200 contractors are on stand-by as the storm is expected to be lengthy, which means continuous plowing for up to 36 hours may be needed. 

“We’ll hit the road in full force,” the commissioner said. “Our crews are not going to head home until the roads are clear.”

For those who must travel, officials urge drivers to keep headlights on at all times, give plow trucks their space and minimize distractions. 

“Stay off your phone,” Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection Commissioner Ronnell Higgins urged. “Please, please, please use caution if you have to be out.”

State officials are in discussions with neighboring states about potential travel restrictions, but a decision on that won’t be made until the weekend, they said. 

“This is the first time we’ve had a storm this size in maybe over a decade,” said Brenda Bergeron, deputy commissioner of the state Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security. “Make sure you have enough fuel, food, water, medications for three days. Think of yourself, your pets and the rest of your family. Don’t keep pets outside for long.”

The combination of the large amount of snow expected – between 14 to 20 inches have been predicted for Connecticut – and the extreme cold can make this a difficult storm for many, she said. 

“Check in on your vulnerable neighbors,” Bergeron said.

Gov. Ned Lamont said that while weather broadcasts often appear to hype up storms, this one is one to take seriously. 

“Within 48 hours, Connecticut is going to look like Greenland,” he said. However, “We know what we’re doing. We’ve been through this before.”

At this point, the snow is expected to be light and fluffy and there isn’t an expectation of large power outages. However, 250 utility crews are on stand-by should they be needed, Lamont said.

Public transportation is expected to be disrupted as well during the storm. Riders are asked to visit the transit operator’s website for updates on delays or cancellations and to subscribe to emergency alerts through the state’s CT Alert notification system at ct.gov/ctalert.