Local CT Alert: Severe Weather Protocol Activated

Shelters across the state will be coordinating with 2-1-1 to help those in need for warming centers. Please check on your neighbors, animals and if you can please consider donating blankets and coats to groups such as the Salvation Army or to your local shelter. Please CLICK HERE to get the latest weather updates from our Weather Partner WTNH.

Warming centers are open across a number of Connecticut cities, including Bridgeport, Hartford, New Haven and New London.

A list of shelters and warming centers that are open across Connecticut can be located by calling 2-1-1 or visiting www.211ct.org.

United Way 2-1-1 is Connecticut’s statewide, 24 hour, information and referral service. Click on the links below for local, state and federal information and resources available to Connecticut residents regarding extreme cold weather events.

Warming Centers and Shelters

Click here for a list of warming centers that have been opened throughout the State. If there is no warming center listed in your town/city, please note that libraries, senior centers and other public locations are good places to keep warm or seek shelter.

You can also search the 2-1-1 database for homeless drop-in centers that can be visited during the day. And to find a homeless shelter in your area, please dial 2-1-1 or search the 2-1-1 database for listings of shelters.

If you are a city/town official and need to update or list a warming center or shelter, please email info@211ct.org with the details and your contact information.

State & Federal Disaster Emergency Service Resources

2-1-1 eLibrary

For additional information and resources on preparing for a Winter Storm/Blizzard or Severe Cold Weather or for safety tips regarding detecting Carbon Monoxide (CO) in the home, see the following 2-1-1 eLibrary papers:

Winter Weather Storm Prep & Info! Everything you need to keep safe!

Dept. of Emergency Services & Public Protection - 860-256-0800

Department of Transportation - 860-594-2000

Connecticut 211 - 1-800-203-1234

GET NOTIFIED:Sign up with www.CTAlert.gov to receive any emergency information sent out in your town.

STATEWIDE UPDATES Click Here Governor Malloy direct page/press conference schedules and statewide alerts.

CT CHAPTER OF THE RED CROSS Cold Weather Safety Tips from the American Red Cross CLICK HERE

CANCELLATIONS? DELAYS: CLICK here to get to our Big Y Storm Center Powered by WTNH

YOU CAN HELP: With the temperatures getting so cold, you may know someone who needs a little help keeping warm. This link will provide you with locations across the state. AS always you can call 2 1 1 toll free from anywhere too. CLICK HERE FOR THE INFORMATION

FLIGHT INFO: FLIGHT CANCELLATIONS - link will be periodically updated.

Train Stations/schedules -

DOT/Dept of Rails

Hartford Train Station

New Haven Train Station

Shoreline East Stations

Metro North/New Haven

POWER OUTAGES & UPDATES: EVERSOURCE

CLICK here for an Outage Map

Customers can report power outages by calling 1-800-286-2000 - Staying Informed The Connecticut American Red Cross provides helpful information and resources at www.ctredcross.org. For tips and updates from Eversource, like us on Facebook at CLICK HERE.

The United Illuminating Company UI

To report a power outage, downed power lines or damaged electrical equipment, call UI at 1-800-7-CALL-UI (1-800-722-5584).

Doctors warn residents to layer as deep freeze hits CT: CLICK HERE for the whole story & Video!

Experts offer tips to prevent frozen pipes, story here and courtesy of WHCN News Partner WFSB Channel 3:

Now is the time of year to protect pipes against freezing (WFSB) CLICK HERE FOR THE WHOLE STORY and Video!

NEW LONDON, CT (WFSB) - By Kevin Hogan & By Kaitlyn Naples

As the temperatures continue to drop, experts are reminding people to be mindful of your plumbing.

It may not be a problem for modern houses, but for some older ones you need to take precautions.

“Typically, during these cold events it’s very important to keep all the thermostats up above where they normally would be,” said Charles Appleby, a licensed plumber.

He said it doesn’t take long for exposed pipes, like those on the outside walls of a house that aren’t well insulated to freeze. Copper or plastic pipes will then split.

“There’s nothing wrong with using extra insulation over all your pipes to keep the warmth of the home to keep those pipes warm,” Appleby said.

For homeowners, there are a few things you can do to prevent the pipes from freezing, like turning on the tap.

If the pipe is on an outside wall and you’re in a kitchen area, open up the cabinets that will let the heat in.

Also, homeowners should keep the house heat on the same temperature and don’t lower it. Also, insulate your pipes and problem pipes you should have the faucets dripping. Flowing water out of the tap helps prevent the pipes from freezing.

There are plenty of products available at the hardware store too. Besides inexpensive pipe insulation, there is also electrical tape wrap that acts like a warming blanket for your pipe.

If you’re watching a neighbor’s house, install an inexpensive thermal sensor. When the temperature in the house drops, a light on it goes off letting you know there is a problem.

“There’s nothing like having someone check your house every day during a cold event. Typically, a house can freeze up 24 to 36 hours,” Appleby said.

Experts said to take precautions now, because if you have a problem, you won’t know until things start to thaw out, and that will be more expensive.