Norwalk and Stamford prepare for massive snowstorm
In Stamford, Mayor Caroline Simmons has declared a snow emergency, which goes into effect at 8 a.m. Saturday, while Norwalk Mayor Barbara Smyth says their snow emergency will go into effect at 2 p.m. on Saturday.
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Preparations are already underway in both Norwalk and Stamford for what is expected to be a massive snowstorm on Sunday, with officials in both cities asking residents to refrain from driving, and parking in the roads.
In Stamford, Mayor Caroline Simmons has declared a snow emergency, which goes into effect at 8 a.m. Saturday, while Norwalk Mayor Barbara Smyth says their snow emergency will go into effect at 2 p.m. on Saturday.
"We know exactly what to do, we're fully staffed, we're stocked up on fuel and salt and we've gotten the warning out to residents," said Simmons.
"That's where we have a real advantage, making sure everyone knows what to expect, and that the city is ready," said Smyth. "Salt's ready, the crew's ready, so we just need the snow now."
Officials in both cities said the amount of advance notice there has been for this storm has made it easier to get everything prepared and in order.
"We're in constant communication with public safety, with Eversource, some of our utility companies," explained Matt Quiñones, Stamford's director of operations.
The fact that there have been multiple snowstorms this winter is also something cites as an advantage.
"We had a lot of practice, let's put it like that, in the past few storms," said Vanessa Valadares, the chief of Operations and Public Works for Norwalk. "The only difference we have really in this one, is really the duration of it."
Both cities will have over 30 trucks out on the roads at a time, first going out to pre-treat the streets about an hour before the first flakes fall.
"With a storm of this significance, we'll be out there multiple times hitting each route, we know this storm is going to be a multi-day effort," Quiñones said.
Crews will keep working until are the roads are clear, which in Norwalk, officials say can be as much as 12-18 hours after the snow ends, meaning many of the workers may not be going home until some time on Monday.
"They're going to be tired, and the easier we can make it on them, and the easier we can make it on them by not driving on the roads until the snow is cleared, that would be greatly appreciated" said Chris Torre, Norwalk's superintendent of Public Works.
During the storm, officials say the main priority will be making sure emergency vehicles can get through.
"Sunday's going to be a real challenging day for us to able to respond to the storm to in live time," Quiñones said, "so staying off the roads on Sunday and giving our crews the roads the opportunity to clean up, so we can get the city back to normal as soon as possible."
Many of the downtown parking garages in both cities will be open and free during the snow emergency to help keep streets clear for plows.
