Major Winter Storm Targets Greenwich: Latest Forecast, Cancellations, How To Prepare

GREENWICH, CT — Greenwich is bracing for a major winter storm that's expected to bring heavy snow to the region beginning on Sunday and stretching into Monday.

Southern Connecticut is expected to get between 8 and 14 inches, with locally higher amounts possible. Sleet may mix in with the snow in southern areas of the state, reducing the total accumulation, the National Weather Service said. Coastal Connecticut is expected to get the lower end of the range.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for southern Connecticut from late Saturday night through Monday afternoon.

Updates about the potential impact of the snowstorm will be released as needed through the Greenwich Alerts system.

Snow Emergency Declared In Greenwich

The Greenwich Board of Selectmen has enacted a snow emergency that will temporarily restrict on-street parking throughout town on snow emergency routes. The snow emergency will go into effect on Sunday, Jan. 25, at 12:01 a.m. and continue until further notice.

A complete list of streets on snow emergency routes is located at the bottom of this post.

Declaring such an emergency allows Greenwich Department of Public Works crews and its contractors to effectively clear town roadways. Residents on the designated streets are advised to park their vehicles in their driveways or in their yards. Municipal parking lots are also available while the snow emergency is in effect.

Per town ordinance, Greenwich property owners are required to be responsible for keeping all sidewalks along their property clear of snow and ice. Fire hydrants especially should be cleared to help first responders in case of emergencies.

Plow contractors are prohibited from pushing snow from driveways or parking lots onto town streets.

Additionally, restaurant operators are also responsible for cleaning the sidewalk along the front of their respective properties.

Cancellations, Postponements & Closures Around Town

Residents are encouraged to check with organizers on the status of in-person events scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 25 and Monday, Jan. 26, as they are almost certain to be postponed or cancelled.

As of Friday morning, there was no announcement from Greenwich Public Schools about classes on Monday.

Abilis’ free workshop for parents of children with developmental disabilities originally scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 25, in Stamford has been postponed until March 8. More information can be found here.

Additionally, the Greenwich Symphony Orchestra has cancelled its performance for Jan. 25.

First Selectman Fred Camillo announced that Town Hall will be closed on Monday out of an abundance of caution, and employees have been told to work from home.

Through the use of his emergency powers as first selectman, Camillo will allow waste haulers to work outside their regular hours of operation under town code on both Tuesday, Jan. 27, and Wednesday, Jan 28.

This is being done to allow them to operate efficiently during the aftermath of the expected storm and to avoid them getting caught up with cars and school buses during the morning hours, which will create less traffic congestion, the town said in an announcement Friday evening.

A decision on whether Holly Hill Resource Recovery Center will open on Monday for its regular hours will be made Sunday night. Updates on Holly Hill’s status will be available on the Department of Public Works social media accounts on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Are you an organizer of an event scheduled this weekend? Email richard.kaufman@patch.com with cancellation info.

Winter Storm Preparedness

The Greenwich Office of Emergency Management offered the following winter storm preparation tips:

• Make sure you have extra prescription medications in case travel is difficult for several days
• Stock up on food, water, and essential household supplies
• Have batteries for flashlights, backup chargers, and a battery-powered radio
• Prepare blankets and warm clothing in the event of power outages
• Limit travel during the storm and plan to stay off the roads if conditions worsen
• Check on neighbors, seniors, and those who may need assistance

Safety Tips For The Storm

Residents should avoid all downed utility wires and assume they are live.

Be mindful of the signs of frostbite or hypothermia if exposed to the cold for too long, and take breaks while shoveling to prevent overexertion.

When using portable generators, never use indoors (even if garage doors are open) or in enclosed spaces. Exhausts from these units contain carbon monoxide (CO).

Also, do not supply generator power to your home’s main line. Do not use gas stoves or charcoal grills for heat. They can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.

When any tree falls on a power line and causes it to come down or block a Town road or right- of way, the situation should be reported immediately by calling 911.

For non-emergency situations involving downed trees or branches, please call the public safety dispatch center at 203-622-8004 or 203-622-8005. Residents should dial 911 in case of an emergency.

More information on keeping safe during winter storms can be found here.

Emergency Helplines - Utilities

• 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

Warming Centers

The Greenwich Publix Safety Complex Margenot Atrium at 11 Bruce Place is open 24/7 as a warming center for residents who need to escape the cold.

Snow Emergency Streets

Central Greenwich

• Amogerone Crossway
• Arch Street
• Benedict Place
• Bolling Place
• Brookside Drive
• Bruce Park Avenue
• Bruce Place
• Church Street
• Connecticut Avenue
• Davis Avenue
• East Elm Street
• East Putnam Avenue (Maple Ave. to Library)
• Fawcett Place
• Field Point Road
• Greenwich Avenue
• Grigg Street
• Havemeyer Place
• Hillside Road
• Horseneck Lane
• Hunter Place
• Lafayette Place
• Lake Avenue
• Lawrence Street
• LeGrande Avenue
• Lenox Drive
• Lewis Street
• Lexington Avenue
• Locust Street
• Maher Avenue
• Maple Avenue
• Mason Street
• Milbank Avenue
• Perryridge Road
• Railroad Avenue
• Ridge Street
• Sherwood Place
• Shore Road
• Sound View Drive
• Steamboat Road
• West Elm Street
• West Putnam Avenue
• William Street

Byram

• Beech Street
• Byram Road
• Cedar Street
• Chestnut Street
• Church Street West
• Delavan Avenue
• Division Street West
• Hervey Street
• Kirby Street
• Mead Street
• Mill Street
• North Water Street
• Oak Street
• Pine Street
• Richland Road
• South Water Street
• Spruce Street
• Western Junior Highway
• William Street West

Chickahominy

• Hamilton Avenue
• Old Field Point Road
• Saint Roch Avenue

Pemberwick

• Comly Avenue
• Pemberwick Road
• Moshier Street

Glenville

• Glenville Road/Street from Glenridge Road to Pemberwick Road
• Riversville Road from Glenville Road, north to entrance to Glenville School

Cos Cob

• Bible Street
• East Putnam Avenue (Field Rd. to Diamond Hill)
• Loughlin Avenue
• Orchard Street
• Relay Place
• River Road
• River Road Extension
• Sinawoy Road
• Strickland Road
• Suburban Avenue
• Valley Road

Riverside and Mianus

• Hendrie Avenue
• North Sound Beach Avenue
• Valley Road

Old Greenwich

• Arcadia Road
• Lockwood Avenue
• Sound Beach Avenue
• West End Avenue