Lyme-Area Blizzard 2015: Regional Shelter Closing Tuesday Afternoon

Welcome to The Lymes Patch’s hub article for the Jan. 26-27 blizzard. We will be updating this article with information as the storm goes on.

7:40 p.m. Reminder

All Region 18 schools and offices closed.

2:28 p.m. Update

• East Lyme Roads Impassable; Wednesday School Closing Info: First Selectman Mark Nickerson

2:10 p.m. Update

Post from East Lyme Public Safety: The East Lyme Regional Shelter at the Middle School will be closing down at 3 p.m. today. Thank you to the American Red Cross and the volunteers that made it possible for us to provide shelter during the storm for those that needed it!

The East Lyme emergency shelter located at the East Lyme Middle School closed at 2 p.m.

1:46 p.m. Update

• Post from East Lyme Public Safety: East Lyme Town Hall and the Community Center will re-open regular hours tomorrow. All employees should plan on reporting to work.

10:30 a.m.Update

• Gumdrops & Lollipops Candy & Ice Cream Shoppe: ‪#‎GumdropsandLollipops‬ is closed today! Stay safe and keep warm!

9 a.m. Update

East Lyme Public Safety: Good Morning,

At 9 a.m., radar continues to show bands of light to moderate snow across Western CT and bands of moderate to occasionally heavy snow in Eastern CT. Current temperatures are in the mid to upper teens across the state. Winds are gusting from the North at 25 - 35 MPH. Total snowfall currently ranges from 3” - 5” in far Western CT, 8” - 16” in Central CT up to 24” in parts of Eastern CT.

The snowfall intensity will gradually subside during the next 4 - 5 hours and is forecast to be light this afternoon with some additional light accumulations. Total snowfall for this event is now forecast to range from 4” - 6” in far Western CT, 10” - 16” in Central CT and up to 18” - 28” in Eastern CT.

The Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection will continue to monitor this storm and will send out another update along with an updated snowfall map at 11:15 AM.

Sincerely,

Douglas Glowacki

12:09 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27, Update:

Post from East Lyme Public Safety:

The East Lyme Middle School is open as the Regional Shelter for residents in East Lyme, Old Lyme, Lyme, Salem, Montville and Waterford.

There will also be an Animal Shelter at the same location. East Lyme Public Safety recommended people arrive to the shelter before 9 p.m., as roads are expected to be difficult, if not impossible, to travel. Anyone with questions may call the Non-Emergency Dispatch number at 860-739-3419.

If you have an emergency, please call 911.

Be prepared to stay at the shelter until Thursday. That means bring any supplies you may need – medications, clothes, books, personal toiletries, etc. For your pet, you must bring a kennel, pet food and a rabies certificate.

Thank you.

— Cathy J. Wilson
Senior Center Director
East Lyme Senior Center

9:25 p.m. Update

Post from Old Lyme Police Department: STATUS OF THE STATE EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER - ACTIVATED

Good Evening,

At 8:45 p.m., radar showed a band of moderate snow moving into Eastern and Central Connecticut. Temperatures are currently in the upper teens to low 20’s across the state with NE winds gusting to 30 MPH at times along the coast.

Total snowfall thus far across the state ranges from 1” - 2” in northern Connecticut up to 3” - 4” in Southern Connecticut. Driving conditions continue to deteriorate. The snowfall rates will continue to increase during the next 4 - 5 hours as the major Northeaster continues to intensify off the Mid-Atlantic Coast.

The snowfall forecast has not changed for this event. We are still expecting a general 24” - 32” of snow with locally higher amounts. The Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection will continue to monitor this major storm and will send out another update at 11 p.m.

9:12 p.m. Update

• Lyme Warming Center Info — RESPITE/WARMING CENTER: Located at the Lymes’ Senior Center, 26 Town Woods Road, Old Lyme, CT 06371. The Respite/Warming Center will NOT be open Tuesday, January 27. The Center hopes to open Wednesday morning, January 28, for those in need. Warming station, charging station, water, meal.

• SHELTER: Located at East Lyme Middle School, 31 Society Road, Niantic, CT 06357. The shelter will open Monday, January 26 at 5:00 PM. Those with medical conditions requiring electricity are encouraged to proceed to the shelter ahead of the storm. I-95 North to Exit 73. At bottom of ramp, turn left onto Society Road. Go to stop sign; bear left. Approx. 1/4 mile on left is the East Lyme Middle School.

• The Old Lyme regional shelter opened at 5 p.m. Monday. Old Lyme residents are served by a Regional Shelter administered by the Red Cross.Our Regional Shelter, located at the East Lyme Middle School on Society Road, will open at 5pm today.Old Lyme residents and their pets are welcome.

• Please bring all medications with you. Click here to view a list of other items to bring with you to shelters.

• Phone the Old Lyme Emergency Operations Center for further assistance: 860-598-0120.

• Old Lyme: Parking ban now in effect

• Travel is hazardous. Stay off the roads during the storm.
• Your cell phone will be an important tool during this emergency -- make sure it is charged.
• A Parking Ban is in effect throughout Old Lyme until further notice. Keep all vehicles off the roads so that they remain open for emergency vehicles and can be safely cleared when the storm ends.
• Have you registered for Old Lyme Alerts to receive phone/ text messages about this storm?You can register anytime - it’s not too late. Click on Emergency Management on the Town website: www.oldlyme-ct.gov and follow the simple instructions.
• Exposure to cold temperatures and sustained winds will contribute to hypothermia and dehydration. If you go outside, dress in layers and wear hats, scarves and gloves. Remove wet clothing as soon as you are back indoors.
• The Old Lyme Emergency Operations Center 860 598 0120 is now open.
  To report a power outage, call 800-286-2000,or text the word “outage,” followed by a space and your zip code, to 24612.
  Stay away from downed power lines and call 911 to report them.
  Call 911 to report all emergency situations.

• The Old Lyme Senior Center will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 27.

• East Lyme: Parking ban effective 4 p.m. Monday, January 26, 2015 through noon Thursday, Jan. 29. No motor vehicle shall be parked on a public street or highway in the Town of East Lyme in order to facilitate snow and ice removal.

• Overnight parking is allowed in all Town parking lots during this snow event.

• No trash collection on Tuesday, Jan. 27. All town offices will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 27.

6:41 p.m. Update

48-Hour Power Outages Possible in Connecticut: Malloy

3:15 p.m. Update

Region 18, East Lyme Makes Decision on School Closings

10:49 a.m. Monday Update:

Malloy Issues Travel Ban for Connecticut

School Info

Region 18 schools will dismiss early Monday, Jan. 26.

School Dismissal Times

• Mile Creek: 12:15
• Center: Noon
• Lyme: 12:10
• LOLMS: 11:10
• LOLHS: 11:23

Related Articles

• Lyme-Area Residents: How To Report Power Outages
• Red Cross Offers Blizzard Preparation Safety Tips

Photo by gordonplant, via flickr creative commons