Cold Weather Protocol Activated In Bridgeport: Mayor

News release from the City of Bridgeport:

BRIDGEPORT, CT — Mayor Ganim and the Office of Emergency Management advise all residents to be cautious from 3:00 PM of December 4th through 12:00 PM of December 9th as a period of intense cold will be in the Bridgeport area resulting in very low wind chill values that are forecasted to be near zero.

In anticipation of freezing temperatures, residents must take caution and make necessary preparations ahead of inclement weather instances. Residents should allow for extra travel time on roadways and should be most careful during morning commutes due to possible slippery road conditions. Residents should also be cautious of possible flood areas underneath viaducts and underpasses and should not attempt to drive through these flooded areas.

Forecast
Over the next four days, temperatures are expected to average 10 to 20 degrees below normal for early December. Tonight will bring very cold conditions with lows in the single digits and wind chills near zero across most of the state, excluding the immediate coast. While temperatures may fluctuate over the weekend, they will remain well below normal with daytime highs in the 30s and overnight lows near 20°F. Very cold air will return Monday, with highs in the mid-20s and lows back into the single digits. Some relief is expected Tuesday with highs returning to the 30s.

Residents may utilize the below checklist as a guide to safety during cold weather:

• Check heating devices.
• Do not use a stove or oven to heat your home due to potential gas, carbon monoxide, and fire hazards.
• If using a generator, please follow manufacturing instructions given with packaging and do not use indoors.
• Ensure that pets are brought inside.
• Watch for ice on pipes and ground cover.
• Bundle up if you must go outside.
• Check on elderly neighbors and family members during colder temperatures.

Operation Care – To help protect the homeless population from unsafe temperatures, please call 2-1-1. The homeless Outreach Team has begun contacting the homeless population to connect them to shelters such as Prospect House, Bridgeport Rescue Mission, and Alpha Community. For any homeless issues, you can show up at 650 Park Avenue for assistance.

Warming Centers

Senior Centers (Open only weekdays):

• Black Rock Senior Center – 2676 Fairfield Avenue, (9:00am-3:00pm)

• East Side Senior Center – 268 Putnam Street, (9:00am-3:00pm)

• Eisenhower Senior Center – 307 Golden Hill Street, (9:00am-3:00pm)

GBT Station

• 710 Water Street, Mon- Fri (9am-9pm)

Bridgeport Public Library Branches:

• Main Branch – 925 Broad Street, Mon & Tues (10:00am-6:00pm), Wed (10:00pm-8:00pm), Thurs (12:00pm-8:00pm), Fri & Sat (10:00am-5:00pm). Sunday (Closed).

• Black Rock Branch – 2705 Fairfield Avenue, Mon & Wed (10:00am-6:00pm), Tues (10:00am-8:00pm), Thurs (12:00am-8:00pm), Fri & Sat (10:00am-5:00pm). Sunday (Closed).

• Newfield Branch – 755 Central Avenue, Mon & Tues (10:00am-6:00pm), Wed & Thurs (10:00am- 7:00pm), Fri & Sat (10:00am-5:00pm). Sunday (Closed).

• North Branch – 3455 Madison Avenue, Mon & Wed (10:00am-6:00pm), Tues (12:00pm- 8:00pm), Thurs (10:00am- 8:00pm), Fri & Sat (10:00am-5:00pm) Sunday (Closed).

• Beardsley Branch – 2536 East Main Street, Mon (10:00am-6:00pm), Tues (12:00pm-8:00pm) Wed & Thurs (10:00am-8:00pm), Fri & Sat (10:00am-5:00pm) Sunday (Closed).

• East Side Branch – Temporarily closed for renovations

South End Community Center- Overnight Stay/Case Worker Support

• 650 Park Ave– Open 24/7
• Limited overnight capacity

If residents suffer a loss of electricity call the United Illuminating customer hotline at 800-722-5584. Both numbers are for 24-hour emergency service.

For the latest updates and information about the snowstorm, residents are asked to check and follow the Bridgeport Emergency Operations Center X account (formally known as Twitter) and Facebook.