So You Have To Evacuate, Now What?

Hurricane Irene has recorded sustained winds of 85 miles per hour combined with the speed of the storm itself, which is 15 miles per hour, has got emergency personnel in Groton on high alert. 

"That's almost a Category 2 storm, said Deputy Director of Emergency Management Jeffrey Williams. "That's why we are so concerned, there is a significant surge and winds. 

The Office of Emergency Management issued a mandatory evacuation for parts of Groton and set up an emergency shelter at Saturday afternoon. People who live in mobile homes are urged to come to the shelter. 

"We can take 350 people right off the bat," said Deputy Director of Emergency Management Jeffrey Williams.  

The school is the designated emergency shelter for Groton and Ledyard residents but Williams said they won't turn anyone away, including pets. 

Cots, bedding and hot meals will be provided by the Red Cross and the Groton Animal Control will care for and supervision the sheltered pets and require proof of vaccination. They have loaner crates, bowls and food for pets but Williams said, "animals get stressed out just like people do," and he recommended to bring a pet's favorite toy, blanket or food to help calm them.

Williams said no alcohol, weapons or drugs are permitted in the shelter. Call the Emergency Control Office at 860-445-2000 for more information or transportation. 

Lillian Greene, who lives in an apartment on Village Lane, said she came to the shelter because she didn't feel safe in her apartment. 

"I'm worried that the house would flood and of trees coming down," she said. 

Dorothy Banner lives in Long Cove Mobile Home Park and wasn't so much concerned for her safety but didn't want to weather the storm alone.

"I'm a single lady living in a tiny trailer. I thought of it as being an adventure, I've never done this before," she said. 

Williams had these tips for hunkering down in the shelter:

• You never know what kind of obstacles will be in the road after the storm passes so bring medicine, clothes and toiletries for three days.
• Bring important documents like insurance documents, car titles, house deeds, berth certificates, social security cards.
• Bring books, games battery operated devices for entertainment.
• Showers will not be available but bring a washcloth and towel. 

For people with health concerns:

• Bring medicines and necessary supplies to last three days.
• The sooner you contact the shelter for advice and transportation, the better. Williams said he'll do whatever he can to get residents to the shelter. 
• The shelter has one registered nurse available for basic medical care and EMTs will be standing by. 
• People who receive home health care should contact their providers to let them know about the move and then contact the shelter for help.
• The building will run on generators if it loses power so people who require the use of electrically operated medical devices will have a power source. 

People may come and go from the shelter but, he said, "we recommend you stay here until the storm passes." 

Residents who chose not to evacuate will not be forced to but during the height of the storm residents may be on their own. Williams said once the storm reaches a certain threshold, he'll "pull public safety off the streets because we need to keep them safe and we'll need them after the storm." 

The areas affected by the mandatory evacuations are the following low-lying area areas effective on 3 p.m. Saturday:

West of Thames St from Broad to Baker Avenue

West of Eastern Point Road, from Meech Avenue and Circle Avenue to Eastern Point Beach

South of Tyler Avenue and East of Shennecoset Road along Bakers Cove, including Jupiter Point Road, Pine Island Road, Baker Lane, the residences at Baker Cove and lower Bayberry Road.

Poquonnock Road area, from Rainville Avenue to Trails Corner

Tower Avenue south of the railroad tracks

Long Meadow Landing apartments off of South Road and Route 1

All of Groton Long Point and Mumford Cove

Esker Point, Marsh Road, Noble Avenue

Morgan Point, Front Street and the waterfront areas of Noank Village

Cedar Road, all of Willow Point, School Street

Water Street in Fort Rachel

Downtown Mystic, east of Bank Street to the Mystic River

Pearl Street and Grove Avenue to the Mystic River

Low-lying areas of River Road and Old Mystic 

The ECO will post more updates on its Facebook page.