Useful storm related information

www.news12.com has updated weather related information

Listen to www.scangreenwich.com for emergency information if you still have power or have a laptop running on battery power.

Town of Greenwich Emergency Management Operations
Telephone: (203) 622-2222

To report a power outage: (800)286-2000

CL&P outage map: http://www.cl-p.com/outage/outagemap.aspx?sec=fb

Message From the Town of Greenwich:

This is likely to be a major storm event. The Western Greenwich Civic Center has been identified as a sheltering station effective 10:00 a.m. Saturday, August 27.

The latest forecast predicts that Irene could make landfall in Connecticut in the Stamford area as a Category 1 hurricane around 5:00 p.m. on Sunday the 28th of August. There may be sustained winds of 90 miles per hour with gusts up to 110 miles per hour. In addition to the wind, rainfall is predicted to be 10 to 15 inches during this storm event.

If you have previously experienced flooding in you home or on your property, you should begin to take precautions to protect your belongings. At the conclusion of this press release is a copy of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Sea, Lake and Overland Surge from Hurricane (SLOSH) map. If you reside in any area that may be green or yellow, you too should begin moving all belongings from your basement or garage to higher ground. Evacuation of shoreline and other low-lying areas may be necessary.

Please routinely check you local news outlets for up to date information. The Town of Greenwich will issue further information as it becomes available.

Residents are encouraged to visit websites including the Town’s website (www.greenwichct.org) to view the booklet on hurricane preparedness, The American Red Cross (www.redcross.org), and the federal government (www.ready.gov) for pointers on personal readiness and listen to local news radio and TV stations (WGCH 1490 AM, WLNK 1350 AM and Cablevision Channel 12) for up to date information. During an emergency the Town may opt to use the Reverse 911 system to send a recorded message to each resident that has a published number. All residents with non-published numbers must sign on through the Town’s website. Cell phone numbers can also be programmed for contact.

MORE INFORMATION

Review the Sea, Lake and Overland Surges from Hurricane (SLOSH) map to see the potential effects of Hurricane Irene. Hurricane Slosh Map

August 25 UPDATE Hurricane Press Release.

August 24 Hurricane Press Release.

Hurricane Preparedness Brochure.

IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM THE GREENWICH RED CROSS

Due to power outages in Western Greenwich today, the Greenwich Red Cross and the Town of Greenwich will be opening a cooling center at the Western Greenwich Civic center this afternoon.  In addition, CL&P will be opening a Cooling Center at the Greenwich Hyatt at 1800 E. Putnam Avenue.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 400 Americans die each year due to summer’s sweltering heat.  In recent years, excessive heat has caused more deaths than all other weather events, including tornadoes, floods and hurricanes.  Everyone is at risk when temperatures rise above 90 degrees; and the elderly and the very young are most susceptible to heat and heat-related illnesses.

Heat-related illnesses can cause serious injury and even death if unattended.  Signs of heat-related illnesses include nausea, dizziness, flushed or pale skin, heavy sweating and headaches.  Persons with heat-related illness should be moved to a cool place, given cool water to drink and ice packs or cool wet cloths should be applied to the skin. If a victim refuses water, vomits or loses consciousness, call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number immediately.

Please Follow these Red Cross Heat Wave Safety Tips:

• Prepare. Discuss heat safety precautions with members of your household.  Have a plan for what to do if the power goes out.
• Dress for the heat. Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing.  Avoid dark colors because they absorb the sun’s rays.  It is also a good idea to wear hats or to use an umbrella.
• Stay hydrated. Carry water or juice with you and drink continuously even if you do not feel thirsty.  Avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine, which dehydrate the body.
• Eat small meals and eat more often.  Avoid high-protein foods, which increase metabolic heat.
• Slow down and avoid strenuous activity. If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day, which is usually in the morning between four and 7 a.m.  Take frequent breaks.
• Stay indoors when possible. If air-conditioning is not available, stay on the lowest floor out of the sunshine.  Remember that electric fans do not cool, they simply circulate the air.
• Be a good neighbor. During heat waves, check in on family, friends and neighbors who are elderly or ill and those who do not have air conditioning.  Check on your animals frequently, too, to make sure they are not suffering from the heat.
• Learn Red Cross first aid and CPR/AED.

Know What These Heat-Related Terms Mean:

• Heat cramps: Heat cramps are muscular pains and spasms that usually occur in the legs or abdomen.  They are caused by exposure to heat and humidity, and loss of fluids.  Heat cramps are an early signal that the body is having trouble with the heat.
• Heat exhaustion: Heat exhaustion typically occurs when people exercise heavily or work in a hot, humid place where body fluids are lost through heavy sweating.  Blood flow to the skin increases, causing blood flow to decrease to the vital organs.  This results in a form of mild shock.  If not treated, the victim may suffer heat stroke.  Signals of heat exhaustion include cool, moist, pale flushed or red skin; heavy sweating; headache; nausea or vomiting; dizziness; and exhaustion.  Body temperature will be near normal.
• Heat stroke: Also known as, sunstroke, heat stroke is life threatening.  The victim’s temperature-control system, which produces sweat as a way of cooling the body, stops working.  Body temperature can rise so high that brain damage and death may result if the body is not cooled quickly.  Signals include hot, red and dry skin; changes in consciousness; rapid, weak pulse; and rapid, shallow breathing.

General Care for Heat Emergencies:

• Heat exhaustion: Get the person to a cooler place and have him or her rest in a comfortable position.  If the person is fully awake and alert, give half a glass of cool water every 15 minutes, and have the person drink slowly.  Remove or loosen tight clothing and apply cool, wet cloths to the skin.  Fan the person.  Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number if the person refuses water, vomits or loses consciousness.
• Heat stroke: Heat stroke is a life-threatening situation!  Help is needed fast.  Call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number.  Move the person to a cooler place.  Quickly cool the body.  Wrap wet towels or sheets around the body.  Use a water hose, if available, to cool the victim.  Watch for signals of breathing problems.  Keep the person lying down and continue to cool the body.  If the victim refuses water or is vomiting or there are changes in the level of consciousness, do not give anything to eat or drink.

The Griffith E. Harris Golf Course, “The Griff”, opens for play on Tuesday, March 29, 2011. For the remainder of March and April, opening times are 8:00 a.m. weekdays and 7:30 a.m. on weekends.  Tee time reservations can be made in advance through the automated tee time system or can be made by calling (203) 531-8253 on the day of play.

The Greenwich Fire Department is seeking Volunteer Firefighters or Volunteer Fire Police Patrol.  The Greenwich Fire Department will provide training, gear, and a pager.  No experience needed, except a big heart and a willingness to pitch in.  There are positions available for everyone, from interior firefighters to outside support personnel. 

The Sound Beach Volunteer Fire Department, Glenville Volunteer Fire Company, and the Cos Cob Fire Police Patrol host three different Fire Explorer Post Programs.  The Fire Explorer Post Programs are part of the Boys Scouts of America.  Children ages 14-18 years of age can become an Explorer.

Please check the Town of Greenwich website for information on becoming a Volunteer Firefighter:
Click here to visit the Volunteer Firefighter Page.

This volunteer opportunity is a great way to give back to your community.  For further information please contact Brian M. Kelly, Volunteer Firefighter Recruitment Officer, at (203)-618-8877 or email BKelly@greenwichct.org.

Due to the arctic weather temperatures this week, the Town of Greenwich will be offering the following Warming Station Locations: 

1. Greenwich Libraries Sunday , Monday , Tuesday during normal Library hours
* Greenwich Library 101 West Putnam Ave. hours Sunday 9:00 – 5:00 Weekday
* Byarm Shubert Library Mead Ave. open during normal weekday hours
* Cos Cob Library 5 Sinowoy Rd. open during normal weekday hours
* Perrot Library 90 Sound Beach Ave. Sunday 1:00 – 5:00 Weekday

2. Benhiem Western Greenwich Civic Center 
449 Pemberwick Rd., Sunday Hours 12:00 Noon – 5:00, Weekday Hours 9;00 A.M. – 10:00 P.M.

3. Greenwich Police Department 
11 Bruce Pl., Community Room Available 24/7

4. Greenwich Senior Center 
299 Greenwich Ave., Normal Weekday Hours 9:00 – 4:00

5. Greenwich Town Hall 
101 Field Pt Rd., Lounge Area Normal Weekday Hours 9:00 A.M. – 10:00 P.M.

We hope that the coming year will bring you peace, good health, good cheer and much prosperity!

Here are no cost to low cost ways of achieving this:

FOR PEACE:  Foundations of Meditation – A class held at the Center For Integrative Medicine – 35 River Road, Cos Cob.  The course provides thorough training in the theory and practice of correct meditation. Learn about meditation’s mind/body benefits, and its applications for dealing with stress, anxiety, high blood pressure, insomnia, headaches and addictive behavior.  Gentle, relaxing yoga movements and tools for establishing daily meditation practice are included. The class is held on Tuesdays, 5:30-7:00pm. The next 8 week session begins February 15. To register, call 203.863.3630.

FOR GOOD HEALTH: Attend the Heart Health Fair on Friday, February 4 from 8:00-11:00am at the Greenwich Hospital Noble Center. This is a chance to ask questions of Greenwich Hospital cardiologists, pharmacists, dietitians, holistic practitioners and other health care experts.  Enjoy healthy cooking and Zumba exercise demonstrations.  If you preregister you get a free metabolic screening that measures total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglyceride and glucose levels, as well as blood pressure and weight.  Available to the first 60 registrants.  Fasting required.  To sign up for a metabolic screening, call 203.863.4277 or 888.305.9253.  This is a free service.

FOR GOOD CHEER:  WGCH, our local radio station features a weekly show, Spotlight on Medicine with Tony Savino, on Thursdays from 9:00-9:30am on Thursday, January 6, the show will be: Laugh Your Way to Better Health: Humor & Medicine with Stephen Jones, MD, Geriatrician

FOR MUCH PROSPERITY: Available at Greenwich Library – The Prosperity Plan: Ten Steps to Beating the Odds and Living Fabulously Forever by Laura Berman Fortgang

Great thinking + Great action = Extraordinary Results.

The rules have changed. The old strategies of hard work, fitting in, and loyalty no longer guarantee a secure and shiny future. In this inspiring book, Laura B. Fortgang reveals that the most powerful currency today is a deep and unwavering awareness of one’s inherent worth and potential.

The Prosperity Plan offers a simple and clear approach to building financial and emotional security. According to Fortgang, in order to obtain wealth and happiness we need to become receptive to all the world has in store for us. We must build lives outside of the “norm,” always reaching for our own unique good versus some cookie- cutter version of what we thought our lives “should” or “could” be.

A step-by-step guide to creating the circumstances by which great luck can find you, this book illustrates how to:

*Recognize possibility

*Create opportunity

*Achieve financial and emotional well-being

*Discover your true worth

*Make more money by being more YOU

*Master the art of making things happen

The ten steps in The Prosperity Plan will show you how to beat the odds and prosper in ways you never dreamed possible!

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HAPPY NEW YEAR GREENWICH!

Greenwich Town Hall
101 Field Point Road

The September 11 Remembrance Committee  candlelight ceremony will take place on the steps of Town Hall.  The Greenwich citizens who lost their lives on 9/11 will be honored.   The names of the 23 Greenwich residents who were killed that day will be read aloud, along with the tolling of a fire bell.

The public is invited to the event and encouraged to bring flowers to take part in the wreath-laying portion of the ceremony.

The Greenwich Police Department will also perform a 21-gun salute.

The ceremony begins at 6:30 p.m. and will run for about half an hour.

Seven state parks and campgrounds in southeastern Connecticut that were closed Friday as a precaution while Hurricane Earl approached New England are reopening immediately – well ahead of the original plan to reopen them at 12 p.m. today.

At Governor Rell’s direction, state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) crews made thorough assessments of the parks early this morning to determine whether it was possible to reopen them earlier than the original target time. After an on-site review, DEP officials reported no signs of major damage. Swimming areas also appear to be free of complications from storm water runoff or riptides, although those conditions may be subject to change.%0