Lamont declares state of emergency as blizzard conditions take aim at Connecticut

Gov. Ned Lamont declared a state of emergency in Connecticut in advance of the major winter storm on Sunday.

The state of emergency begins on Sunday at 5 p.m. and will continue through the day on Monday.

Lamont also signed an emergency order that prohibits all commercial vehicles from traveling on all limited access highways statewide in Connecticut beginning at 5 p.m. on Sunday and will be in place until further notice.

“Commercial vehicles include those such as permitted vehicles, trucks, RVs, tractor trailers, tankers, and vehicles with trailers. The Office of the Governor will send out a notification indicating when it has been determined that the emergency order on commercial vehicle travel can be lifted,” according to a statement from the governor’s office.

The order is in coordination with neighboring states, which are also issuing similar emergency orders.

“We’re no stranger to snow in Connecticut, but I’m urging everyone to take this storm, and the blizzard conditions it will bring, seriously,” Lamont said in the news release. “During its height, we are going to experience intense winds that will cause whiteout conditions, severely limiting visibility and making motor vehicle travel very dangerous. Everyone statewide is strongly urged to avoid all unnecessary, non-essential travel. Plan ahead, get to where you need to be by early Sunday evening, and remain there throughout the duration of the storm.”

The exceptions to the emergency order include “emergency response and recovery vehicles, including public safety vehicles, utilities vehicles, and vehicles carrying essential personnel or supplies, such as those carrying food, fuel, and medical supplies.”

On noon on Sunday, Lamont activated the Connecticut’s Severe Cold Weather Protocol.

The protocol will remain in effect until at least at noon on Tuesday due to “the incoming major winter storm, which is expected to bring blizzard conditions to the state,” according to a statement from Lamont.

Many towns and cities across the state issued parking bans and snow emergencies. Snowflakes already began falling on Sunday morning with as many as two inches on the ground in southern Connecticut by 9 a.m.

Weather models are showing 18-24 inches of snow in the southern part of the state and 12-to-18 inches of snow in northern part of the state, according to Lamont.

“Any westward movement of this storm could result in higher snowfalls into Connecticut,” Lamont said in the statement. “Additionally, the state is expected to experience very strong wind gusts throughout the duration of the storm, exceeding 50 miles per hour at times.”

According to AccuWeather, blizzard conditions with 8-12 inches were expected in Hartford on Sunday with an additional 1-3 inches of snow on Monday.

AccuWeather also forecasts blizzard conditions late Sunday night in the New Haven area with accumulation of 10-14 inches with another 3-6 inches on Monday.

“It will be extremely dangerous to be outside during this storm, and we want to get the word out that shelters and warming centers are open statewide for anyone who needs a safe place to stay warm,” Lamont said in a statement.

Eversource has said they are prepositioning equipment and hundreds of line and tree crews at its work centers around the state to respond to any damage or outages caused by this storm.

United Illuminating officials said Sunday that, in advance of the expected severe weather it is “prepared and fully staffed to respond in the event of power outages.” The utility, which noted the forecasted snowstorm and wind, “present risks for outages,” so the company is bringing in additional crews and “encouraging customers to prepare in advance of the storm.”

“We are prepared for potentially hazardous conditions across our service area today and Monday,” said Angela Baccaro, UI spokesperson in a statement. “Additional crews will be supporting our response during this storm to ensure we get power back on for our customers as quickly as possible in the event of an outage. Customers can also visit our website to report outages at any time and sign up for Outage Alerts to receive up-to-date information on Estimated Restoration Times. With the heavy gusting winds, it is important to always stay away from downed wires and assume all downed wires are energized and dangerous.”

Those in need of a shelter or warming center should visit 211ct.org or call 2-1-1.

The severe weather protocol is put into place protect the most vulnerable populations protection from the severe cold. When this protocol is enacted state agencies can coordinate with United Way 2-1-1 to help those who need a shelter or transportation to shelters.

In Hartford, Mayor Arunan Arulampalam will activate a snow parking ban for the city of Hartford at noon on Sunday and it will continue into Monday.

Blue Light Lots opened at 8 a.m. to allow residents to get cars off the street.

“We’re expecting 12-18 inches of snow beginning Sunday night and continuing into Monday,” Arulampalam said in a statement.

“Our public works team is standing by to keep our roads clear and safe, but we need your help to make our snow cleaning operation as easy as possible,” he said. “Please get your cars into your driveway, or to a Blue Light lot, city lot, or school lot, and for your own safety, please stay off the streets as much as you can.”

Blue lights were illuminated in the city at 8 a.m. on Sunday in 16 major intersections in the city and the lights will remain on during the duration of the ban. There are nine Blue Light lots in the city for parking during snow bans including 130 Sisson Ave., 2434 Main St., 141 Sheldon St., 1213 Main St, 60 Chadwick Ave., 45 Evergreen Ave., 175 Mather St., Sigourney Street and Homestead Avenue, Learning Corridor Parking Garage – Brownell St Entrance and 75 Clark St.

During the parking ban, all on-street parking is prohibited in the city and any cars that aren’t moved will be ticketed and towed.

Residents without off-street parking are asked to use Blue Light Lots, city parks, and city recreation and senior centers. All Hartford Public schools parking lots are also options for Hartford residents, with the exception of Bulkeley High School and Burns Latino Studies Academy.

Trash pickup will be delayed by one day and Hartford City Hall will be closed on Monday.

Other parking bans in the state include, New Haven, Waterbury, Meriden, Middletown, Torrington, West Haven, Glastonbury, Killingly, Ledyard, Branford, Putnam, Thomaston, Winchester, Wallingford, West Hartford, East Windsor, Somers, Enfield, Wethersfield, Berlin, East Windsor, Groton, Plainville, New Britain, Wolcott among others.

Many schools have already closed including New Haven, Bristol, Tolland and Meriden are among the first to close school on Monday.

In New Haven, Southern Connecticut State University will be closed on Monday. All classes, both in-person and online, are canceled, according to the school.

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