GREENWICH, CT – With a concerning drop in temperatures forecast for the Christmas-holiday weekend, Greenwich is advising residents to be cautious.
Due to the Christmas holiday, warming center opportunities will be limited in the Town of Greenwich.
Greenwich Library and its branches in Cos Cob and Byram will be closed starting at noon on Dec. 24 through Dec. 26. However people will still be able to use the lobby of the Public Safety Complex at 13 Bruce Place off of Greenwich Avenue as a warming center.
The Greenwich Police Department says the John Margenot Atrium will be open to members of the public 24 hours as needed during the cold weather. People can come to get out of the cold and charge up personal electronic devices like their phones if needed.
According to the state’s Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, very cold air is forecasted to move into Connecticut on Friday afternoon with lows Friday night between 10 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit and wind chills making it feel like it is near zero Friday and Saturday nights.
Temperatures are forecast to remain below freezing until next Tuesday, Dec. 27.
A wind advisory has been put in place for the entire state of Connecticut with an 18-hour period of strong winds expected for the New England region throughout Thursday night and into Friday. A strong cold front preceded by bands of heavy rain are also expected to come through leading into the holiday weekend with approximately two inches of rain possible Thursday night into Friday. Wind gusts of 40 to 50 miles per hour at least are expected to begin after midnight with potential gusts between 50 and 60 miles per hour at daybreak on Friday. There is a chance that gusts could even get to 70 miles per hour during this period into Friday.
The rain and cold temperatures could potentially lead to icy roads. The Town of Greenwich’s Department of Public Works will be working to salt icy roads and residents are urged to drive with caution during the inclement weather.
Town ordinance requires Greenwich property owners be responsible for keeping all sidewalks along their property clear of ice.
The state of Connecticut has announced that it will activate its cold weather protocol beginning at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, December 23, 2022 through 12:00 p.m. on Monday, December 26, 2022. This is the first time that the protocol has had to be activated during the 2022-23 winter season.
In the case of a police, fire or EMS emergency, people should dial 911 for immediate assistance.
For other issues there are emergency helplines people can call:
Aquarion Water Company 1-800-732-9678
Eversource 1-800-286-2000
CT Natural Gas Company 1-203-869-6900
Optimum/Altice 1-866-950-3278
Frontier Communications 1-800-239-4430
The Town’s Department of Health is warning residents to take caution during the frigid temperatures and protect themselves against the risk of hypothermia and frostbite. When outdoors, people should wear loose layers of clothing along with a with hat, gloves, scarf and insulated shoes. People should limit their time outdoors and avoid the use of alcohol.
People are also being urged to be careful when using alternative heating sources in their home such as space heaters and fireplaces. The Department of Health said their use increases the risk of household fires and carbon monoxide poisoning.
For proper safety, people should not use portable generators or gasoline-powered equipment inside their homes or garages and never use gas or charcoal grills in the house or garage. People should also have a carbon monoxide detector for their home.
For media inquiries, contact Executive Assistant to the First Selectman Ken Borsuk at ken.borsuk@greenwichct.org .