Code Red: Sixty Percent of Monroe is Without Power

The following is a transcript of today's Code Red notificiation:

Good morning, today is Thursday, Nov. 1,2012. This is a Code Red emergency notification message from the Monroe Police Department and Monroe Emergency Management.

Approximately 60% of Monroe remains without power. There are currently two line crews and one tree crew in town from CL&P, as well as several smaller patrol and repair vehicles, working to restore power.

As many as eight road clearing crews from CL&P are anticipated late this afternoon. Be aware that power may be lost for short periods of time as workers shut down an area to repair lines.

The Senior Center, 235 Cutlers Farm Road, will be open as a shelter. It is open to people of all ages. Please bring your own bedding. If you are bringing a pet, a carrier and proof of rabies innoculation is required. If you are able to plan alternate sheltering, this would be helpful.

Drinking water is available at the Senior Center. Non-potable water is available from the hose in the back parking lot of the library and at Stevenson Fire Station 2. You will need your own containers.

The library is open until 5 p.m. daily as a warming station, and a place to recharge computers and phones.

The Monroe School System will be closed for the remainder of the week. Officials will re-evaluate the situation over the weekend and advise for next week's school schedule. Signs will be posted at each school and future updates will be given with Code Red, School Messenger and signs.

Showers are available for the public at the following three locations: Wolfe Park from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and at Masuk High School from noon to 6 p.m. Please use auxiliary gym entrance. Tennis Club of Trumbull's shower will be open Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday and on from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Great Hollow Lake is closed for the foreseeable future, both to vehicles and pedestrians.

Be aware of any scams involving people offering to remove storm debris under the guise of reimbursement from FEMA. If you believe you are being victimized, contact the police department.

As with any weather event, we caution all citizens to be aware of downed power lines and to stay away from them as they may be live. We also urge you to be cautious when working around your house to remove limbs and trees.

911 is for emergency calls only, but the main police department can be accessed at 203-261-3622.

Code Red messages will go out as more information is available.