Winter Storm Targets Simsbury: What You Need To Know

SIMSBURY, CT — A major winter storm is barreling toward Connecticut Sunday into Monday, with the possibility of a foot or more of snow amid nasty, biting cold.

The National Weather Service on Friday morning said the storm is expected to bring 3 to 7 inches of snow on Sunday, with another 4 to 8 inches of snow on Sunday night into Monday.

The predicted total of 7 to 15 inches of snow, however, could be exceeded, according to some TV forecasters.

Temperatures are also expected to be brutal.

The NWS predicts a high of 22 on Sunday, which will fall into the teens by Sunday night, continuing into Monday, when a high of 24 is expected before another plunge into the single digits on Monday night.

Folks are urged to stay off the roads on Sunday and let the state and local public works staff do their jobs and plow the roads, something that is easier given the timing of the storm.

In Simsbury, local officials announced that they are complying with Gov. Ned Lamont's implementation of cold-weather protocols from Friday, Jan. 23, at noon through Wednesday, Jan. 28.

Due to the upcoming expected low temperatures and frigid conditions, the Town of Simsbury and the Department of Community and Social Services reminded residents of the best practices to stay warm.

Some tips:

• If you have ceiling fans, run them in the clockwise direction to push warm air back down to the floor; block drafts with pool noodles, towels, or blankets; and keep your thermostat set at a steady temperature.

• If you must be outside, dress warmly and be sure to cover your head and hands, and protect yourself from the elements as best as possible.

• Try to stay inside where it is warm, and check on elderly family members and neighbors, and never leave children or pets in an unattended vehicle.

• During times of extreme cold, steps should be taken to protect your pipes from freezing. It is recommended that you keep your home heated at no lower than 55 degrees, leave cold water dripping from your faucets, and open cupboards to allow heat to circulate the pipes. Locate your shut-off valves in case of emergency.

• If you plan to use a wood stove, fireplace, or space heater, be extremely careful. Turning on the stove for heat is not safe. Never use generators, gas or charcoal grills, camp stoves, or similar devices inside your home, in basements, in garages, or near windows. The fumes are deadly.

• Use fireplaces, wood stoves, or other combustion heaters only if they are properly vented to the outside and do not leak gas from the flue or exhaust into the indoor air space.

Warming center

When travel is possible (not during the storm), the Simsbury Public Library is open during normal business hours, should people need a warming center during this time.

Library hours are Monday to Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. (Though the library will likely be closed this Sunday.)

Check the library website for any weather-related closings.

If someone or someone they know is at risk due to the extremely low temperatures, call the Simsbury Community and Social Services Department at 860-658-3283 during business hours.
For those who need shelter, call 211 or visit https://www.211ct.org/ at any time. For emergencies, call 911.

Stay off roads/home snow removal

Simsbury's public works department issued an alert to motorists regarding the storm, basically urging folks to plan and stay off the road and, during the cleanup, not to crowd the plows.

The department also offered tips regarding snow removal at home, urging residents to not plow snow into the roads and to dig out fire hydrants and mailboxes.

"As we prepare for the incoming winter weather this weekend, the Simsbury Department of Public Works is ready to maintain our town’s 165 miles of roads," wrote the department on Friday. "We take great pride in keeping our community safe and accessible, but we need your help to make that happen."

A full list of tips from Simsbury Public Works is available at this link.

Safe shoveling

The regional Farmington Valley Health District urged folks to practice safe shoveling after the storm.

For example, the FVHD said snow gets heavy and people should clear snow every few hours as it accumulates, rather than waiting to do it all at once at the end.

Other tips include avoiding overexertion, taking frequent breaks while shoveling, and stopping if one feels chest pains and/or shortness of breath. Folks should call 911 if this happens.

It's always best to push the snow rather than lift it, the FVHD said.

No trash collection

Simsbury officials said Friday that USA Waste has informed the town that there will be no trash collection on Monday, Jan. 26, citing the snowstorm..

If anyone has any further questions, they can reach USA Waste at 888-312-7292 or check out their website at: https://www.usarecycle.com/residential-waste-recycling.

For winter weather safety tips, click on this link.

For the latest forecast from the National Weather Service, click on this link.