Hurricane Sandy Closes Schools in East Lyme, Old Lyme, and Lyme—East Lyme Middle School Opens as Regional Shelter at 4 p.m.

Schools in East Lyme, Old Lyme, and Lyme and all offices will be closed on Monday, October 29, and Tuesday, October 30. East Lyme Middle School will be serving as a regional shelter for the surrounding towns of New London, Waterford, Montville, Old Lyme, Lyme, and East Lyme.

The shelter opens at 4 p.m. today to accomodate people living in low-lying and coastal areas of Old Lyme who are now under a mandatory evacuation order. Residents of East Lyme who live along the shore are "strongly urged" to evacuate, said East Lyme Emergency Management Director Dick Morris. The evacuation is voluntary at this point. 

People are advised to seek shelter elsewhere by the end of the day before Hurricane Sandy hits full force. The emergency shelter at East Lyme Middle School at 31 Society Road in Niantic is open to both people and pets. The emergency shelter is being operated by the American Red Cross. East Lyme-Waterford Animal Control will operate the pet shelter.

Showers are available at the Middle School from 7-9 AM and 4-6 PM  beginning on Monday and on this schedule until further notice. 

Elderly residents, particularly those who live alone, and people with special needs are urged to take refuge at the shelter now. People who need assistance can call:

• Old Lyme Emergency Management Center, 189 Boston Post Road, (860) 598-0120 or call (860) 434-1605 ext. 231.
• East Lyme Emergency Management Center at 171 Boston Post Road, (860) 739-4434.  
• Lyme Emergency Management Center at the Fire House in Hamburg, (860) 434-8693

Anyone in need of emergency assistance should call 911. 

School Information

Schools are planning to reopen on Wednesday but power outages may change those plans. Schools will contact parents by phone and post updates on the Web site, and get word out to the media about continued school closings. In the event of a power outage, notices will be posted at the school buildings and around town.

"We will monitor conditions and notify you via phone, television, radio, and our website as to the status of our schools for the remainder of the week. In anticipation of possible power outages, we will also post school status information on the front doors of all of our buildings and in a number of local businesses," Ian Neviaser Superintendent of Lyme-Old Lyme Schools announced on the district's web site. "Please take recommended precautions to ensure your family's safety throughout this weather event."