Shelter, Emergency Operations Center Will Open at 6 Saturday Evening

Montville will open its shelter and its Emergency Operations Center Saturday at 6 p.m., Mayor Joe Jaskiewicz said, moments ago.

The shelter is at Montville High School. The EOC is in Room 203 in Montville Town Hall.

The brunt of Hurricane Irene is supposed to hit our area between midnight Saturday and noon on Sunday, Jaskiewicz said. Forecasters are expecting 7-9 inches of rain.

"We're going to see the winds, too," Jaskiewicz said.

"The best thing for people to do is to stay in," he said.

If your house has flooded before, he said, chances are it will flood again.

People in mobile homes should pay particular attention to the storm, Jaskiewicz said.

If you think you might want to go to the shelter, it's better to make the decision earlier rather than later, he said. Get to the shelter close to 6 p.m., before the heart of the storm passes over our area.

Before you leave your house, make sure your lights, TVs, fans, window air conditioners and the like are turned off, Jaskiewicz said. In the event of a power failure, turning off those devices could help save them if the power surges when it comes back on.

If you go to the shelter, Fire Marshal Occhialini advises you to bring:

• Bedding (for sleeping)
• Towels (for showers)
• Personal care items
• Snacks
• Medications
• Games to keep children busy

Food will be provided; there are no facilities for evacuees to cook at the high school.

 Pets

Pets can be brought to the shelter at Montville High School. They must be in a cage or crate, and the owners must provide food. Animal Control Officer Chris Martel says the town will be able to provide some crates, at the shelter.

 Wellness checks

Residents can register for wellness checks by calling Montville's Office of Emergency Management and asking to be added to the list. A similar report is collected annually by the state for Millstone-related emergencies.

Notification

Sign up at www.ctalert.gov to be able to receive messages from the town and state in the event of an emergency.