Malloy Partially Activates Conn. Emergency Center For High Winds
HARTFORD, Conn. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy has partially activated the state's Emergency Operations Center in preparation for high winds.
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The center will be staffed by the departments of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Transportation, the Military Department, State Fire Coordination and the state's two utilities.
A wind advisory has been issued for Connecticut until midnight Friday. Southwest winds are forecast to remain strong through the afternoon and into this evening with gusts to 50 mph at times.
"After talking with my emergency management officials and assessing the situation, we will be partially activating the EOC at noon today," Malloy said in a statement on his website. "This will allow us to quickly respond to and coordinate any problems that may arise as a result of today's high winds."
Malloy says a few higher gusts of 55 mph 60 mph are possible in the higher elevations and along the shoreline.
Scott DeVico, communications officer for the Department of Emergency Service and Public Protection, says they will be able to coordinate any power restoration is necessary.
"We need to be prepared in the event of downed power lines and downed trees which could result in power outages across the state," he said.
Extended power outages hit Connecticut in August following the remnants of Hurricane Irene and in late October due to an early snowstorm.
The National Weather Service has also issued wind advisories for New York and New Jersey.
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