The Town of Greenwich continues its full mobilization in creating safe conditions throughout the community in response to Tropical Storm Isaias. The scale of the tree damage suffered to the public utilities within Greenwich is widespread, complex, and requires a highly coordinated and technical response.
Our town departments continue to work side by side with the utility crews provided by Eversource. The Town has no control over the number of assets supplied by the public utility companies, or how long they will be available to Greenwich. The Town’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is in contact with Eversource and the other public utilities providing input on priorities and status updates.
The Town of Greenwich will continue to operate with all its critical departments and divisions fully engaged in restoring the community to a sense of normalcy.
Tropical Storm Isaias Response Information
Blocked or Obstructed Roads- 134 roads blocked after the storm.
60 roadways re-opened as of 11:00 am 8-7-2020
- Major Roadway Obstructions–
- Lake Avenue is one lane in area of North Maple Avenue.
- Taconic Road is one lane in area of Farms Rd
- Upper Cross Road in area of 74
- Pecksland Road in area of 75
- Old Mill Road in area of 142
- Porchuck Road in the area 69
For compete closure list please visit https://www.greenwichct.gov/345/13151/Police and click the link Tropical Storm Isaias Road Closure List.
Department of Public Works
Storm Debris- Please remember the Town will clean up downed Town trees in the right of way. Please do not put your own private property trees/branches or other debris out in the street or right of way – it will not be picked up and may endanger recovery efforts.
If your private refuse hauler cannot get to your residence for your debris; organic material – like spoiled food – should first be transported to the Town Transfer Station on Holly Hill Road. You may need to hang on to your other storm debris on your parcel for some time until your hauler can come remove it. The Town’s Transfer Station does have a limit on what it can handle.
Town DPW priorities are oriented to health and safety, as well as focus on Greenwich Hospital, The Nathaniel Witherell nursing home, police and fire facilities, residences for the elderly, and the wastewater collection system infrastructure (i.e. pump stations, low pressure sewer neighborhoods and the treatment plant).
From a traffic standpoint, the Town focuses on opening major north/south and east/west arteries to facilitate both emergency and repair / cleanup response.
Road opening is often a fluid process – the road may be cleared and open but may then be closed later for a time to reset utility poles or allow additional cleanup.
Greenwich Fire Department
Fire Hydrants- Fire Hydrants are essential to fire suppression active fires. Fire Hydrants need to be cleared in a 3ft radius. Please do not place debris near these hydrants.
Non-Potable Water– Water is available to residents who need non-potable water to flush toilets. The water is available at the listed fire stations and is self-service. Residents will need to bring their own containers.
Fire Stations
- Round Hill Fire House at 166 Old Mill Road, Greenwich – Hose is located on the parking lot side of the building.
- Banksville Fire House at 33 Bedford- Banksville Road, Banksville- Hose is located in the rear by the back door.
- North Street Fire House at 669 north street, Greenwich- Hose in front of the building.
- Glenville Fire House at 266 Glenville Road, Greenwich- Hose is located on the front ramp.
- Cos Cob Fire House at 200 East Putnam Avenue, Greenwich- Hose is located to the rear.
Generators– Improperly installed electrical generators can create a hazard. A licensed electrician should perform all work on your home’s electrical system. Generator back-feeding can result in death or injury to yourself or utility work. Back-feeding is the tying of a portable generator directly to your home’s electrical panel/ outlet instead of using a transfer switch.
Fire Alarms– If your home or business has a hard-wired fire alarm, the battery backup needs to be checked. A prolonged power outage can drain the battery.
Town of Greenwich Department of Health
Power outages can pose health hazards. During power outages:
- Unplug your appliances
- Generators should be used with caution. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and NEVER operate a generator indoors. DO NOT supply generator power to your home’s mainline as you may injure a utility employee. Be aware of the cords used with a generator and the location of pooled water at all times.
- Conserve fuel and water. A few large containers can be filled with warm water for an emergency supply.
- Observe health precautions when issued.
- Do not use charcoal grills indoors or gas stoves as a source of heat. Either one can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Fireplaces may be used as long as they are properly vented.
- Keep your refrigerator and freezer doors closed. With the door closed, fully stacked freezers will keep for two days, while half-full freezers will keep food for one day. Dry ice can be used safely in freezers; however, gloves must be worn in handling and proceed as recommended.
- All thawed food may be cooked if maintained below 45 degrees F; otherwise, it should be discarded. It is not recommended to refreeze any food once it has thawed.
- Refrigerated food, especially perishable items such as eggs, milk, fish, meat, and poultry, should be maintained at 45 degrees or below. Foods should be cooked or discarded after three hours of not being maintained at proper temperatures. All stuffed meats and poultry should be discarded. Any doubt concerning food items, discard or contact the Division of Environmental Health at 203-987-1001, to discuss certain situations.
Greenwich Police Department
The Police Department continues to deploy extra officers to help in the recovery response. The standard operating level of officers has remained the same and will answer all calls for service without an issue. The added officers are assigned to the utility and public works crews to provide a safe work zone to open the road and restore power.
Parks and Recreation Department
The Parks and Recreation Department has contracted extra tree cleaning crews to assist in the cleanup process.
The Parks and Recreation Department has prepared an informational flyer regarding park access and cancellation. To access the flyer, visit https://www.greenwichct.gov/149/Parks-Recreation.
Other Useful Information
Please continue to check on your elderly relatives and neighbors to be sure they are doing well during this outage.
The John Margenot Atrium, located within the Town of Greenwich Public Safety Complex at 11 Bruce Place, has been designated a cooling and charging station and is open 24 hours a day. Please wear a face mask and maintain proper social distancing if you come to use the facility.
The Eastern Greenwich Civic Center, located at 90 Harding Rd, Old Greenwich, has been designated a charging station (Outages Permitting). The Civic Center is open during regular business hours (9:00 am to 7:00 pm, closed Sundays). Please wear a face mask and maintain proper social distancing if you come to use the facility.
Contact Eversource.com, https://www.verizon.com, or https://www.optimum.net/ for outage information.
Contact the Town of Greenwich Public Safety Complex Dispatch Center at 203-622-8004 to report trees and wires down and if roadways are blocked.
Dialing 9-1-1 is only for emergencies.
Please be safe. The town crews and utility contractors are throughout the Town cleaning up.
