Malloy: Connecticut Highways to Remain Open, Urges People to Stay Indoors

HARTFORD, CT — Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said Thursday morning that his advice to motorists is to stay home if they can but he’s not ordering the highways in the state shutdown Malloy, who was peppered by reporters with questions Thursday morning, said while this is a “nasty storm,” no one is calling for 30 inches of snow and therefore there is no need as of now to shut down the highways.

“I urge people to stay indoors,” Malloy said at a 9 a.m. press briefing. “Don’t get into your car unless you have to.”

Connecticut is expected to receive at least a foot of snow and up to 18 inches in some sports before it winds down later this afternoon. Malloy said more than 800 plow trucks are out on the highway now removing snow and he said they are doing a great job of staying on top of things and keeping major interstates open.

“Crews are clearing the snow,” Malloy said. “They’re staying on top of it.”

Malloy reminded residents to stay far enough away from snow plows so they can do their job safely.

As of 8 a.m. Connecticut State Police have responded to 200 calls for service including 30 accidents. No fatalities have been reported but some minor injuries have been reported, he said.

The Governor also said trains including Metro-North, are running on time. He added that he doesn’t anticipate any major power outages but both United Illuminating Co. and Eversource crews are prepared if need be.

Malloy said once the snow ends, the big concern is the brutal cold moving in. He said temps will fall into the single digits tonight and the windchill factor will make it feel like below zero.