UPDATED: Montville's Forecast: It Is Snowing And Will Snow More

UPDATE: 5 p.m.: The National Weather Service has issued a revised forecast for Montville - there is now a winter storm warning in effect - and predictions of up to 10 inches of snow.

State and local officials are asking residents to stay off the roads as conditions are increasingly slick.

Connecticut Light & Power reports more than 1,500 residents in town without power. Other media outlets are reporting that CL&P has more than 200 crews out and more than 190,000 without power statewide.

The new forecast:

Late Afternoon: Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. Some thunder is also possible. Steady temperature around 33. Breezy, with a northeast wind around 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Tonight: Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. Some thunder is also possible. Low around 28. Windy, with a north wind between 23 and 26 mph, with gusts as high as 65 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 6 to 10 inches possible.

Sunday: Snow, mainly before 9am. High near 43. Breezy, with a north wind between 18 and 22 mph, with gusts as high as 44 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Sunday Night: Clear, with a low around 21. North wind between 6 and 9 mph becoming calm.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 48. North wind at 7 mph becoming southeast.

Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32.

POSTPONEMENTS/CANCELATIONS

Parks and Rec has issued this statement regarding Trick or Trunk: "We have decided to postpone our Trick or Trunk event for Saturday night. The event will now take place on Sunday night with a 5 pm start time for trick or treaters. Those individuals with registered trunks may begin arriving at 3:30 pm and must be there no later than 4:30 pm for set up. Note the time change for the start of the event from 6 pm to 5 pm."

are canceled for tonight and Sunday night.

News from CL&P

Over 200 CL&P line and tree crews are working to restore power to customers affected by outages and the company is in the process of securing additional help. "As was predicted, the heavy, wet snow is weighing down the trees and creating issues across the state," said Al Roy, CL&P's manager of Emergency Management.  "Our crews and support staff continue to respond as the storm moves through and we are communicating with town and state officials to coordinate efforts."

CL&P will be assessing storm damage as soon as it is safe to do so.  An estimate as to when power will be restored will be available once the assessment is complete.  We appreciate our customers patience.

In the meantime, CL&P is reminding customers to:

• Stay away from all downed wires.  Assume any downed, hanging or burning power lines are live and dangerous and call 9-1-1 immediately.  If a power line falls on your vehicle while you’re inside, stay there.  Don’t touch anything outside the vehicle and wait for emergency crews.
• Report your power outage by calling CL&P at 800-286-2000.  Our automated phone system rapidly processes your report and helps us speed restoration efforts.  It also provides restoration estimates as soon as they’re available.
• Before operating a generator, make sure it has been properly installed by a licensed electrician.  Improperly installed generators can feed electricity back into power lines and pose a deadly situation for our line workers.  Always operate generators outdoors to avoid carbon monoxide hazards.
• If you lose power, turn off your circuit breakers.  This will help reduce the possibility of damage to sensitive electronic equipment once power is restored.

For helpful tips and news updates, go to our website at cl-p.com, follow us on Twitter @CTLightandPower and like us at Facebook.com/CTLightandPower.  You can also get updates on outages in your town by texting “outage” and your zip code to 24612  (texting fees may apply).

Storm tips from CL&P

Before the storm hits, prepare a "lights-out" kit that includes:

• A flashlight and extra batteries
• A battery-operated radio or TV and clock
• A first-aid kit
• Containers for water or bottled water
• Canned food and a non-electric can opener
• Sterno or similar fuel - but never burn charcoal indoors
• A list of important phone numbers and some cash, as automatic teller machines may not work.

Plan ahead for the worst-case scenario.

• Take steps to protect your major or electronically sensitive appliances.
• Now is the time to make sure your car's gas tank is full.
• Electricity and water never mix.  If you know your home is in an area prone to flooding, turn off devices like your furnace, water heater and electrical system before water can reach them.

Protect your food and water.

• Set your refrigerator and freezer to their coldest settings. Food will stay frozen up to 24 hours, and even longer if the freezer is full.
• Open the refrigerator or freezer doors only when necessary.
• If you have a well and water pump, fill spare containers with water, and your washing machine with water for flushing, just in case.

Portable generators should be installed only by a licensed electrician.

• Check with your town regarding a permit and inspection. 
• Generators must be connected with a special transfer switch that prevents power from feeding back into the electric lines. Feedback could endanger line workers who are nearby.
• Generators must be vented outside.  And never refuel them while they are running.

Be alert to downed power lines.

• High winds and tree branches can sometimes combine to cause electric lines to fall. 
• Never walk near or touch a downed power line.  Stay away and keep others away.
• If you are driving and come across a fallen line, never get out of your vehicle.
• In all situations, always assume that a fallen line is “live.” If you see a downed line, call 9-1-1 immediately.

Beware, fallen branches.

• Never go near or remove tree branches that have come down until the area is thoroughly checked for fallen power lines.  There may be a downed wire hidden beneath those branches and it may be energized. 
• Tree limbs can conduct electricity, causing injury or death. 
• If you see a downed line, call 9-1-1 immediately.

Only call 9-1-1 to report a dangerous situation.

• Qualifying examples include a downed line or utility pole.
• CL&P customers can report an outage or get a “power-back” estimate by calling 800-286-2000.
• Always let your utility know when you don't have power.  Don't assume your neighbor will call in the problem.