10/26/2012 - City Urging Residents To Prepare For Impending Storm

While the exact path Hurricane Sandy will take is still uncertain, Mayor O’Leary is encouraging residents to prepare for the storm. Local emergency services including the Fire, Police, and Health Departments have begun implementing their plans for response if such an emergency should occur. Residents of Waterbury can help themselves in an emergency and remain more comfortable during an extended power outage if they: 1) Assemble themselves a basic emergency supply kit and 2) Develop a family emergency plan. Please stay tuned to your local radio and television stations, or visit the City of Waterbury website www.waterburyct.org, as well as the websites listed below for more information. Gov. Malloy offered the following preparedeness 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
  • 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.

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