Killingworth: Be Prepared for Hurricane Sandy

Hurricane Sandy is likely to affect Connecticut next Monday or Tuesday. Even if we do not get a direct hit, we expect to be on the side of the storm with strong winds and lots of rain. I urge you to monitor the storm’s path over the next few days and to be prepared.  

If you have not already done so, please sign up with CTAlert to have “reverse 911” emergency messages sent to your cell phone or other device as well as your landline. If you have access to the Internet, please sign up as well for email notifications from the town. The two sign-ups are separate; you must sign up for both systems.  
We will also issue notifications on radio stations WPLR (FM 99.1), WTIC (AM 1080), WFSB (TV 3), WTNH (TV 8), WVIT (TV 30).

If we open the emergency shelter, it will be at the Haddam-Killingworth Middle School. If you need to use the shelter, be prepared to bring:

• Special dietary food, snacks or comfort food.
• Bedding, pillow, blanket, etc.
• Extra clothing.
• Medications and medical supplies.
• Oxygen supplies or arrange with your oxygen company to deliver to the designated SNS oxygen shelter.
• Toiletry items.
• Flashlight and batteries.
• Diapers, infant, and elderly/disabled necessities. 
• Time occupier such as books, magazines, games or cards.

The Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security offers the following preparedness tips:  

Basic Emergency Supply Kit

• One gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation 
• At least a three-day supply of non-perishable food 
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both. Remember that you can use your car radio as well
• Flashlight and extra batteries 
• First aid kit 
• A whistle to signal for help 
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation 
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities 
• Can opener 
• Local maps 
• Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger

Family Emergency Plan

• Identify an out-of town contact.  It may be easier to make a long-distance phone call than to call across town, so an out-of-town contact may be in a better position to communicate among separated family members. Be sure every member of your family knows the phone number and has a cell phone, coins, or a prepaid phone card to call the emergency contact.  If you have a cell phone, program that person(s) as "ICE" (In Case of Emergency) in your phone. If you are in an accident, emergency personnel will often check your ICE listings in order to get a hold of someone you know.  
• Make sure to tell your family and friends that you’ve listed them as emergency contacts. 
• Teach family members how to use text messaging. Text messages can often get around network disruptions when a phone call might not be able to get through. 
• Subscribe to alert services. Many communities/states now have systems that will send instant text alerts or e-mails to let you know about severe weather, road closings, local emergencies, etc. In Connecticut, go to www.ct.gov/ctalert to register for alerts.  

Emergency Generator Safety

• Check in advance to make sure your generator is working, and have a supply of gas on hand. 
• NEVER use generators indoors, in garages, basements, crawl spaces, or other enclosed or partially enclosed areas, even with ventilation. 
• NEVER plug the generator into a wall outlet. This practice, known as backfeeding, can cause an electrocution risk to utility workers and others served by the same utility transformer.  

For more information on Hurricane Preparedness, visit ct.gov/hurricane.  
 

Information provided by Catherine Iino, First Selectwoman Town of Killingworth  
323 Route 81 Killingworth, Connecticut 06419  
860-663-1765, ext. 501