The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Storm smacks state
Nor’easter forecast to dump 8 to 12 inches in Middletown area
“We have decided to do what makes the most sense and not the most dollars. Stay home. Be safe. Let the plow dudes work. Back open tomorrow at 4 p.m.”
Phil Ouellette, owner of Eli Cannon’s Tap Room
MIDDLETOWN — Heavy snow fell in upper Middlesex County on Wednesday afternoon as the area awaited the full-blown storm that had already brought significant snowfall in the western part of the state.
Howling winds and big flakes were falling by dinnertime.
Middletown Public Schools originally called for an early dismissal Wednesday, but by 5 a.m. had closed all schools for the day, joining others in the region. As of Wednesday afternoon, it was still unclear whether area schools would be open Thursday.
Into early evening Wednesday, snowfall rates were expected to reach 2 to 3 inches per hour, according to NBC Connecticut chief meteorologist Ryan Hanrahan.
Meanwhile, WFSB meteorologist Melissa Cole said by 4 p.m. New Fairfield was reporting between 5 to 8 inches of snow, and New Milford 5 inches. Hamden saw thundersnow early evening, as well as cloud-to-ground lightning.
“It’s a beautiful-looking storm on the satellite. This is the kind of thing that just explodes overhead,” Hanrahan said on his evening TV segment.
The Weather Channel’s on-camera meteorologist Carl Parker said severe weather conditions were expected before the storm winds down.
“For the second time in less than a week, the Northeast is getting pounded by a major coastal storm. Unlike last Friday’s storm, [this nor’easter] is moving at a pretty good clip, and is also not as powerful of a windstorm, though winds will gust to 60 mph in eastern New England, and 4 to 50 mph down the coast,” he said. “Quinn will blanket the Northeast with heavy, wet snow, which will combine with the wind to bring a new round of power outages to many of the areas that are still recovering. Snowfall rates could be as high as 3 or even 4 inches per hour, with very low visibilities, and occasional thunder snow.”
Home Depot had snow blowers in the parking lot outside, ready for any procrastinators, while next door at Price Chopper, relatively few customers perused the aisles.
Later in the day, traffic was proceeding as usual on the roadways as some ventured out for last-minute necessities.
Connecticut State Police reported mid-afternoon there had been 403 calls for service, 56 accidents with no injuries, three with injuries and 56 motorist assist calls.
“It is snowing and it’s coming down right now — it’s not sticking, so we’re really in good shape,” Cromwell Town Manager Anthony Salvatore said mid-afternoon. “The roads have been treated with a brine solution and crews were out today laying salt and sand in preparation for the snow. Reports are indicating that we could have as much as 8 to 12 inches, however, that remains to be seen.”
It’s not quite cold enough to turn the wet snow into heavy precipitation, he said.
“The temperatures are really going to have to drop,” he said.
Middletown Public Works Director William Russo said heavier accumulation was expected in the early evening as temperatures dropped.
Just before 4 p.m., he said road crews were out on the streets, plowing the inch or so of slush that covered the ground to get ahead of the storm.
“There also saying by 4, 5 a.m., it’s going to start winding down, so it’s going to be an all-night event,” Russo said. “We’re hearing we could get 1 to 3 inches an hour at some point after 6 o’clock, so we’ll keep an eye on it. That’s why we try to stay ahead of it early.”
A parking ban was issued in Portland as First Selectwoman Susan S. Bransfield urged residents to stay off the roads while the storm continues its track across the state. Schools in town were closed, but Town Hall was open throughout the morning and into the early afternoon.
“We followed the governor’s recommendation of ‘staggered closings’ and sent the staff home at 1 p.m.,” Bransfield said. However, both Bransfield and Director of Public Works Richard D. Kelsey remained in their offices throughout the afternoon, monitoring the storm’s progress and town’s response.
“And, of course, our public works crews were out clearing the streets and sidewalks to make sure things are safe as they can be,” Bransfield said.
Further to the east, Town Manager Michael Maniscalco kept to his practice of having East Hampton Town Hall remain open throughout the day, weather or not.
“It hasn’t been that bad — yet,” Maniscalco said Wednesday afternoon. “We’re continuing to monitor it.”
He said, adding if the forecasts are correct, “We have a long duration to go” before the storm exits the region. In the meantime, “We are adjusting and adapting to conditions as warranted.”
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy partially activated the state’s Emergency Operations Center to monitor storm conditions across the state and prepare for winter weather that is forecast to have a significant impact on afternoon and evening travel, according to a release.
Malloy also sent nonessential state workers home early.
“After consulting with our emergency management team, we are directing state employees to head home today in staggered phases beginning at noon in order to ensure that folks are off the roads by the rush-hour period when the snowfall is forecast to be at its heaviest,” Malloy said in the release. “We are also encouraging private sector businesses to consider similar plans.”
Some businesses, like Eli Cannon’s Tap Room on Main Street, closed for the day, something owner Phil Ouellette has done in the past.
“We have decided to do what makes the most sense and not the most dollars. Stay home. Be safe. Let the plow dudes work. Back open tomorrow at 4 p.m.,” read the Twitter post.
Webster Bank also closed its branches in central Connecticut at 1 p.m. and Durham canceled its Planning & Zoning, Board of Education and joint BOE and Board of Selectmen meetings for the evening.
Middletown Mayor Drew put a parking ban in force and closed City Hall at noon Wednesday. Motorists should not park on city streets, as violators will be towed.
As with all storms, offstreet parking is available at municipal lots: Melilli Plaza, Broad Street/Kidcity, Broad Street/Russell Library Arcade upper level, Kings Avenue lot, Green Street lot, Hubbard Little League baseball field lot, Grand Street annex lot (Main Street) and the Grand Street Health Center lot. For information, visit cityofmiddletown. com/Parking.
Owners of towed vehicles will face tickets and towing charges, which must be paid before vehicles can be reclaimed. To check the status of towed vehicles, call 860-638-4000.