50°
First Selectman Peter Tesei said Town Hall will be closed Tuesday, Jan. 27, and that Eastern Middle School and Bendheim Western Greenwich Civic Center will be on standby as shelters but are not currently open.Both shelters have generators available in the event of power outages from the strong winds.
“An epic winter blizzard is forecast to impact Greenwich beginning midday on Monday and continue through late Tuesday evening," Tesei said in a telephone notification to residents. "Heavy snow and blowing snow with projected snow accumulation of 24 to 36 inches, with higher amounts possible, are forecast. Winter weather warnings and travel advisories have been issued."
Extra police officers will be assigned to all shifts, including staffing the Emergency Operations Center overnight, Tesei said. Greenwich EMS will have an additional ambulance available Monday starting at 6:30 p.m.
The Department of Parks and Recreation has a tree crew on holdover and has prepared two crews to get to work if needed. The Department of Public Works Highway Division has 26 trucks available to plow and treat roads, with 15 to 30 inches of snow possible in the storm.
The Greenwich Board of Selectmen, acting as the town’s parking and traffic authority, has declared a snow emergency effective at 6 p.m. Monday. Vehicles are not permitted to be parked or otherwise remain standing on posted Snow Emergency routes during a declared snow emergency. Vehicles not in compliance are subject to ticketing and immediate towing. Off-street municipally owned parking lots can be used for parking vehicles displaced from Snow Emergency routes, with the exception of the garage at Greenwich Town Hall and the lot at Greenwich Library.
Tesei also warned of flooding along the town's shoreline.
"A Coastal Flood Watch is in effect for coastal, low-lying areas for late Monday night into Tuesday morning with a 3- to 4-foot surge above the astronomical tide. Residents in these areas should take action to protect their property,” he said.
The coastal surge is projected to be from three to four feet. High tide is slated for 4:39 a.m. and will come in at more than seven feet.
The entire region is under a Blizzard Warning starting at 1 p.m. Monday and running through midnight Tuesday. A total of 18 to 24 inches of snow, and up to 30 inches in some areas, is in the forecast.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Greenwich and receive free news updates.
