Region braces for season’s first major snowstorm

Norwalk closes schools, declares emergency

NORWALK — The city had 35 plows at the ready Wednesday night as Norwalk began to feel the impact of its first major winter storm of the season.

As of Wednesday, the area was predicted to get hit with 12 to 18 inches of snow, according to the National Weather Service.

The school district announced Wednesday afternoon that classes would be canceled on Thursday. The district originally planned to have all students participate in remote learning on Thursday, but decided to cancel classes “due to the unpredictability of a storm this intense,” according to an email sent to families.

District officials said classes are expected resume on Friday. The snow day will be made up

by adding an extra day to the calendar at the end of the school year.

The schools will stay on remote learning until after winter break, returning to the classrooms on Jan. 4. Meal sites are closed on Thursday.

Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling declared a snow emergency effective at noon on Wednesday, during which time parking on snow emergency routes is prohibited. The emergency is in effect until further notice.

According to city officials, road temperatures are predicted to be around 20 to 24 degrees, causing any precipitation to freeze on contact. The Department of Public works pretreated roads on Wednesday and will continue to treat them throughout the storm.

COVID-19 testing in Veteran’s Park will also be closed Thursday with plans to resume on Friday. The Norwalk Transfer Station and Yard Waste Site will be closed Thursday with normal hours to resume Friday.

Josh Morgan, city spokesperson, said garbage and recycling collection scheduled for Thursday is canceled. Thursday routes will now be collected Friday, and Friday routes will be collected on Saturday.

In anticipation of the storm, the Yankee Doodle Garage and Maritime Garage will allow free overnight parking until Friday at 7 a.m.. No tickets will be given during this time though street parking is not allowed.

The Community Room at the Norwalk Police Department opened as a warming center Wednesday. Visitors were advised to wear a face covering and socially distance if visiting the Community Room.

COVID-19 testing sites in the city remain on regular hours for now. For updates, visit www.norwalkct.org/1862/Snow-Center.

Erik Trautmann / Hearst Connecticut Media Norwalk Public Works workers fill city trucks with salt mix on Wednesday at the public works facility on South Smith Street as crews prepare for the first major snowstorm of the season.

An area resident carries a shovel and a bag of snow melt purchased at Lowe’s in Norwalk on Wednesday.

Above, Darien resident Rich Aponte buys two snowshovels at Lowes in Norwalk on Wednesday, as he and other area residents prepared for a major snowstorm. At middle, Norwalk Public Works employees load a truck with salt mix for use as they plow and treat streets during the storm. Lower photo, customers shop for shovels and salt as they prepare for the storm.

Erik Trautmann / Hearst Connecticut Media