Ganim Activates Cold Weather Protocol In Bridgeport

News release from the City of Bridgeport:

BRIDGEPORT, CT — Mayor Ganim and the Office of Emergency Management advise all residents to be cautious from 12:00 PM of December 14th through 12:00 PM of December 15th 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 or below 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 snow and icy conditions. Residents should also be cautious of possible flood areas underneath viaducts and underpasses and should not attempt to drive through these areas.

Forecast
From December 14th-15th, temperatures are expected to remain well below normal.Overnight lows will be in the single digits and wind chills will be near or below zero, particularly during the overnight and early morning hours. Daytime temperatures will remain cold, and residents should anticipate prolonged exposure risks if outdoors.

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.