Finch Urges Residents In Low-lying Areas To Make Plans For Safe Shelter

News release from Mayor Bill Finch, includes flood-prone streets.

On Saturday, national weather forecasters predicted that Hurricane Sandy was gaining strength and would substantially impact the Tri-State area starting as early as Sunday with the worst of the storm hitting the area Monday through Tuesday.

“I want to urge all our residents to take this storm very seriously,” said Mayor Bill Finch. “We are expecting moderate to severe flooding from this storm. Residents in low-lying areas should make plans today (Saturday) to seek shelter on higher ground with friends and relatives so they can stay out of harm’s way.” The National Weather Service on Saturday indicated that the shoreline area could anticipate a storm surge that was 2.6 feet above that which was experienced during Tropical Storm Irene.

The City has identified three schools to use as shelters–Cesar Batalla, Geraldine Johnson and Jettie Tisdale–to house residents in case a mandatory evacuation becomes necessary.

On Saturday, according to the Associated Press, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy declared a state of emergency in Connecticut in anticipation of Hurricane Sandy. The declaration gives the governor powers to order civil preparedness into action. It also gives the Governor the ability to suspend or modify any state law, regulation or requirement.

The storm is expected to dump heavy rains and unleash damaging winds and flooding that could cause power outages in Connecticut. It was not exactly clear what conditions the state would face, but forecasters said residents could feel the effects by late Sunday as Hurricane Sandy moves up the East Coast and possibly collides with a winter storm moving across the country and frigid air from Canada, according to the AP.

“I urge everyone to take the necessary measures to prepare your homes and businesses,” Mayor Finch said. “Taking the time to prepare means we all will be able to weather the storm safely. It’s also important to check in on elderly relatives or friends, or who may need assistance, and to share information with friends and relatives who may not have access to news media, TV, radio or the Internet, so they can stay informed.”

The Mayor’s staff and the Office of Emergency Management will provide regular updates about the storm through press releases and on social media.

Residents can follow the Mayor on Twitter (@MayorBillFinch), or @CityofBptCT and @BridgeportEOC, and use the hashtag #BPTSandy to get the most up-to-date information. Residents also can ‘like’ the City’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pages/City-of-Bridgeport/348103748292, or the Mayor’s Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/Bill-Finch/6411019014, or the Bridgeport EOC at www.facebook.com/pages/Bridgeport-Emergency-Operations-Center/192730720742140 to find updated information on the storm.

Beginning Sunday (Oct. 28) afternoon, residents of flood-prone streets may use the lots located across the street from the Ballpark at Harbor Yard to park their cars. Vehicles will have to be removed once the flooding has subsided and the City declares areas safe. (See list of flood-prone streets below.)

The Mayor asks that everyone do their part to prepare their property for the storm:

Secure lawn furniture and outdoor decorations

Store trash cans in a garage, if you have one, or secure them in your yard

Take down any yard signs and anything else that could become airborne in heavy winds

Clear any debris from street drains and catch basins in front of your home

Make sure your vehicle has enough gas in the event of power outages that could close gas stations

Assemble an emergency kit with a three-day supply of water, a First Aid kit, battery-powered or hand-crank radio, blankets or sleeping bags, extra clothing, necessary medication, pet food, and books, games and puzzles and other activities for children.

Please do not venture down any flooded streets or underpasses

In the event of power outages, Fire Chief Brian Rooney asks residents to practice caution:

Be prepared with working flashlights, and an extra supply of batteries in your home

Never touch downed power lines. It is safe to assume that all fallen lines are live electric wires. If you see a downed power line, report it immediately to the Emergency Operations Center at 203.579.3829, or call United Illuminating at 1-800.722.5584.

Do not operate generators indoors

Do not use gas stoves to provide heat

Do not operate grills indoors

Residents can call the City’s Emergency Operations Center at 203.579.3829 for information about the storm. If call takers are on other calls, please leave a message with your name and telephone number and a brief message regarding your situation, and a call taker will return your call as soon as possible.

Additional tips and information for a natural emergency can be found at www.bridgeportct.gov under Planning Toolkits.

Recommended Items to Include in a Basic Emergency Supply Kit:

One gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation

A three-day supply of non-perishable food

A three-day supply of any necessary medications

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

Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities

Local maps

Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger

Flood-Prone Streets

Following is a list of streets that are either in a flood zone, or are prone to street flooding due to location in a low-lying area.

Residents and business owners in these areas should stay alert to weather reports and rising waters, and prepare their homes or businesses for the impending storm.

The City asks residents and business owners to assist the WPCA and city workers by clearing storm drains in front of their locations.

Streets near brooks, streams and close to Long Island Sound will be prone to flooding. Drivers should stay off the roads as much as possible, and never cross a flooded road or underpass.

Flood-Prone Streets and Areas:

Amsterdam Avenue (From Bretton Street to Quince Street)

Areas around Tesiny Circle and Griffin Avenue

Arlington Street to Lincoln Avenue

Boston Avenue (Between Glenwood Avenue to William Street)

Bostwick Avenue at Morris Street

Deacon Street to Bunnell Street

East Avenue

Fairfield Avenue at the intersection of Water Street and Stratford Avenue

Goddard Avenue at Coggswell Street

Goldenrod Avenue and Stoehrs Place at Bartlett Street

Grand Street at Catherine Street

Iranistan Avenue from Railroad Avenue to Soundview Drive

Island Brook Avenue at Capitol Avenue

Lincoln Boulevard at Lincoln Avenue

Madison Avenue at Main Street

Main Street from Railroad Avenue to University Avenue

Norman Street and Wood Avenue from North Avenue to Park Avenue

Railroad Avenue from Fairfield Avenue to Main Street

River Street

Savoy Street from Cornell Street

Seaside Village and Marina Village Area

Summit Street at Chopsey Hill Road

Streets South of Stratford Avenue from Seaview Avenue to Bruce Boulevard

Streets South of Barnum Avenue from Elizabeth Street to Bishop Avenue South to Stratford Avenue

Streets East of Knowlton Street and Huntington Road to Brooks Street

Streets in the area of St. Mary’s by the Sea Seawall

Streets in the area of Lake Forest

Woodmont Avenue