Storm Countdown: Less than 12 Hours

Cheshire's fire stations will be fully staffed beginning Saturday afternoon, said Fire Chief Jack Casner. He said 30 volunteers and full-time officers will remain at the town's three stations through the post-storm clean-up.

Casner, who is a representative of the state's Regional Emergency Planning Team, urged residents to "shelter in place" during the storm. "Stay home. Be prepared for 12 hours, than prepare for 24," he said. 

Winds of 100 mph can topple trees, Casner said, which will likely cause street closings throughout town.

To ensure the safety of emergency workers, public safety personnel will not respond to emergency calls once the wind reaches 50 to 60 mph, Casner said. The exceptions are a house fire or accident extraction.

"Fire trucks act like big sails," Casner said. 

Casner said winds this strong have not hit Connecticut in his generation. "In most careers, it's not been seen. It was the 1950s since the last significant event."

To respond to the road closures and other infrastructure damage, about 40 percent of town's public works and parks employees are on stand-by, said Town Manager Michael Milone. 

(See attached pdf for town's Hurricane Irene emergency plan).

The  at 240 Maple Ave. will open as an emergency shelter at 7 a.m. on Sunday, Milone said. He noted, however, while cots will be offered, residents must bring their own food, bedding and other personal items. "We are not providing provisions," Milone said.

The center's bus transportation service will provide a ride to the center, Milone said. 

Stephanie Ferrall, Acting Director/Program Supervisor of the Senior Center reminded residents to make sure they bring their medications if they plan to stay at the center. 

"Our hands will be full with emergencies," Milone said, "if someone forgets their heart medicine at their house, we can't (immediately) get it."

Cheshire High School will be used as a back-up shelter if the Senior Center is full, Milone said. However, both locations will lack air conditioning. Generators for power are in place but not enough electricity can be produced to run air conditioning as well, according to officials.

A pharmacist at the  store on Highland Avenue said they will remain open during normal hours to fill prescriptions unless the state is shut down by the governor. If a prescription must be filled after the Cheshire store is closed, customers should find a 24-hour store, she said. If a person is out of medication and doesn't have a prescription, the pharmacist said they should go to a hospital emergency room.

Information on storm preparations for other pharmacies in town was not yet available. A pharmacist at said a decision had not yet been made on remaining open for the storm.

At the Board of Education central office there's a bit of humor mixed up in the anxious planning for Hurricane Irene.

If the storm causes Cheshire public schools to be closed on Monday, Superintendent of Schools Greg Florio said it would be considered a snow day. "A snow day in August," he joked.

Florio is expected to announce by mid-day Saturday whether the first day of school will be postponed.

"We want to give as much notice as possible," he said. "We want to get the word out while the power is still on," Florio added.

Cheshire Patch will carry the school announcement and it will will also be posted on the district's website and on Cox Cable Public Access Channel 16, Florio said.

If the power is out and trees are down, Florio said schools could be closed until the roads are passable and the power is restored.

Stephanie Ferrall, Acting Director/Program Supervisor of the Senior Center reminded residents to make sure they bring their medications if they plan to stay at the center. 

"Our hands will be full with emergencies," Milone said, "if someone forgets their heart medicine at their house, we can't (immediately) get it."

Cheshire High School will be used as a back-up shelter if the Senior Center is full, Milone said. However, both locations will lack air conditioning, he said. Generators for power are in place but not enough electricity can be produced to run air conditioning as well, according to officials.

A pharmacist at the store on Highland Avenue said they will remain open during normal hours to fill prescriptions unless the state is shut down by the governor. If a prescription must be filled after the Cheshire store is closed, customers should find a 24-hour store, she said. If a person is out of medication and doesn't have a prescription, the pharmacist said they should go to a hospital emergency room.

Information on storm preparations for other pharmacies in town was not yet available. A pharmacist at said a decision had not yet been made on remaining open for the storm.