Valley communities prepare for Irene

In ANSONIA, Police Chief Kevin Hale said the city’s public safety committee will meet this morning to discuss preparations for Hurricane Irene’s possible arrival.
He said the committee includes representatives of the police, fire and public works departments, Mayor James Della Volpe, emergency personnel and building officials.
"We’ll meet in our emergency operations center at the police station," Hale said. On Thursday officials tested equipment, he said. "We hope for the best and plan for the worst."
Hale participated in a conference call with state emergency officials Thursday. "We’re coordinating our efforts," he said, with several agencies.
Hale said Ansonia High School is a designated area for emergency shelter if needed. If it is used, only service animals will be allowed in the building. In the event people are evacuated, pets would be sheltered at John C. Mead elementary school. Both schools are in the city’s Hilltop section.
He said there will be an additional police dispatcher on duty during the storm, and the city’s Web site will be updated with emergency information starting Friday.
Police are urging people to remain home during the storm. Hazardous conditions could be created "if trees come down and are blocking roads," Hale said.

In DERBY, Mayor Anthony Staffieri met with department heads Thursday to discuss preparations for the expected hurricane.
According to Staffieri, the city is lowering water in the reservoirs at Frank P. Witek Memorial Park in preparation for the expected heavy rainfall.
Upriver, there are plans to lower Lake Zoar by approximately five feet before the storm to reduce the risk of flooding in the Valley region, Staffieri said.
"We are getting equipment ready, making sure chainsaws are working fine, cleaning out catch basins, and checking that pumps for flood control are working properly," Staffieri said.
The city is also getting sandbags ready, and officials are planning to remove flags and banners to reduce the risk of poles coming down.
"We are trying to take any precautions we can," Staffieri said.
Derby police Lt. Salvatore Frosceno said areas like Mcconney Grove, a residential neighborhood off Roosevelt Drive, and the O’Sullivan’s Island area, tend to flood first in the city. Mcconney Grove may have to be evacuated, Frosceno said.
"Those are the two primary areas we keep an eye on," Frosceno said. "Department heads are all coordinating efforts."

In SHELTON, officials are tracking the storm’s progress, and may ask residents in areas like The Maples, a neighborhood off of Indian Well Road that is flood-prone, to evacuate.
"It is better to self-evacuate before there are any problems," said Police Chief Joel Hurliman. "Flooding is an area of concern, because of downstream flooding at places like The Maples. We are particularly concerned with tree limbs and power lines down everywhere in the city."
Hurliman noted that if the storm interferes with communication, people in flood-prone areas may not be able to be notified of an impending flood.
John Millo, Shelton’s director of emergency management, said all department heads have made sure equipment is ready.
"We are anticipating a good sized mess," Millo said. "The entire Housatonic River and inland streams are vulnerable to flooding."

In SEYMOUR, emergency officials said they are ready to take Irene head on, with emergency plans in the works since last Friday.
Tom Eighmie, the town’s emergency management director, said last Friday he got wind of Irene possibly being problematic for the state, and he quickly launched into action.
Eighmie said after calling a meeting of all the town’s emergency services departments, including police, fire and ambulance, as well as the Public Works Department, Seymour is poised to weather the storm.
So far, public works crews have made more than 1,000 sandbags and cleaned out dozens of storm drains on roads that are prone to flooding. Targeting the trouble spots, like lower Mountain Road, Walnut Street and along Route 67 near Bladens Brook and Skokorat Street, were a priority, Eighmie said, in order to help the roads from flooding over.
Eighmie said the latest weather reports he got from the state are calling for 10-12 inches of rain, along with wind gusts from 40-90 mph.
Eighmie also said volunteer firefighters and EMT’s have each equipped three of their firetrucks and ambulances with extra and necessary emergency supplies, and have worked out schedules to ensure that plenty of extra volunteers are on hand to assist with any potential problems.
Public works vehicles have already been outfitted with sandbags, chainsaws and other necessary equipment to help ride the storm out.
The police department is also doubling its shifts, Eighmie said, to further ensure extra coverage and assistance if roads need to be barricaded, closed, etc.
"We’re pretty prepared at this point," Eighmie said.
Eighme said the town is also prepared to utilize its Code Red system if needed, which sends residents automatic messages in emergency situations.
Great Hill Firehouse on Great Hill Road will be set up as the town’s emergency operation center. And if needed, Seymour Middle School on Mountain Road will be used as an emergency shelter, especially in the event of any evacuations.
Between now and Sunday, Eighmie said he’s staying in close contact with the state to get the latest on emergency plans and weather updates, and will continue to hold staff meetings with town emergency personnel to ensure everyone is prepared for the worse.

- Michelle Tuccitto Sullo, Patricia Villers and Jean Falbo-Sosnovich contributed to this story.