 |
Tel. 802.244.8721 | Toll Free 1.800.347.0488 | HazMat 1.800.641.5005 | TTY 1.888.545.7598 State of Vermont | Department of Public Safety | VEM Home Page | Situation Report | Contact VEM |
STORM UPDATES -
12/12/08
Storm Updates 12/13/08
0630 | 0830 | 1120 (Special Update) | 1130 | 1330 | 1600 | 1745
Vermont Department of Human Resources Press Releases - 0615 | 1500
VERMONT EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
NEWS ADVISORY
Date: |
12/12/08 |
|
Contact: |
Mark Bosma, Public Information Officer |
1745 Storm Update
WATERBURY, VT— There is not much new to report from the storm.
Power crews continue to work to restore service. As of 5:30pm power companies are reporting around 24,500 power outages with most occurring in Windham and Windsor counties. Some customers are expected to be without power for several days.
Four emergency shelters will be open overnight for those displaced by the power outages:
Putney: Putney Central School - Open
Springfield: Springfield High School - Open
Wilmington: Twin Valley Union High School – Open
Hartford: Hartford High School – Open at 7:00pm
Further emergency shelters will be established as needed. Those who need a warm place to stay should call 211.
Dozens of local and state roads around Southern Vermont are still closed due to ice and debris on the road; please respect detour signs. Route 9 is still closed and expected to remain closed this evening.
With power lines still down, it begs mentioning again that everyone is encouraged to stay clear of power lines and any trees that may be touching the lines and treat every power line as if it were live.
Some important numbers to pass on:
- For road conditions: 511 (residents are reminded to never call 911 for road conditions, to report power outages, or anything else that is not an emergency) or www.511vt.com.
- Shelter information: 211
- To report a power outage: call your local power company
_____________________________
VERMONT EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
NEWS ADVISORY
Date: |
12/12/08 |
|
Contact: |
Mark Bosma, Public Information Officer |
1600 Storm Update
WATERBURY, VT— An ice storm in Windham, Windsor, and Bennington Counties and snow in other areas of Vermont have caused extensive damage around the state.
As of 4:00pm power companies are reporting more than 27,000 power outages with most occurring in Windham and Windsor counties. Some customers are expected to be without power for several days.
Four emergency shelters will be open overnight for those displaced by the power outages:
Putney: Putney Central School - Open
Springfield: Springfield High School - Open
Wilmington: Twin Valley Union High School – Open
Hartford: Hartford High School – Open at 7:00pm
Further emergency shelters will be established as needed. Those who need a warm place to stay should call 211.
Dozens of local and state roads around Southern Vermont are still closed due to ice and debris on the road; please respect detour signs. Route 9 is still closed and expected to remain closed this evening. Driving conditions are hazardous in various areas; motorists are advised to drive with caution.
Hundreds of trees are down on wires. Everyone is encouraged to stay clear of power lines, stay away from the wires, and treat every power line as if it were live. Trees and branches that are in contact with power lines should also not be touched as a wire or anything touching a power line could cause electrocution.
Some important numbers to pass on:
- For road conditions: 511 (residents are reminded to never call 911 for road conditions, to report power outages, or anything else that is not an emergency) or www.511vt.com.
- Shelter information: 211
- To report a power outage: call your local power company
______________________________________________________
Press Release
On Behalf of VT Department of Human Resources
12/12/08 -
1500 hours
Update: State Offices at Full Staff
Due to weather conditions, State offices in Windham, Windsor, and Bennington counties were authorized to operate on a reduced workforce status as of 5:35am, on Friday, December 12, 2008.
THE REDUCED WORKFORCE STATUS APPLIES TO FIRST SHIFT ONLY. All regularly scheduled Second and Third shift staff should report to work at their regularly scheduled time. Employees affected by the reduced workforce status did so without loss of pay or benefits.
__________________________________________
VERMONT EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
NEWS ADVISORY
Date: |
12/12/08 |
|
Contact: |
Mark Bosma, Public Information Officer |
1330 Storm Update
WATERBURY, VT— An ice storm in Windham, Windsor, and Bennington Counties and snow in other areas of Vermont have caused extensive damage around the state.
As of 1:15pm power companies are reporting more than 30,000 power outages with most occurring in Windham and Windsor counties and a significant number in Rutland County. Some customers are expected to be without power for several days.
Three emergency shelters will be established at 4pm this afternoon:
Putney: Putney Central School
Springfield: Springfield High School
Wilmington: Twin Valley Union High School
Further emergency shelters will be established as needed. Those who need a warm place to stay should call 211.
Dozens of local and state roads around Southern Vermont are still closed due to ice and debris on the road; please respect detour signs. Route 9 is expected to be closed until at least 4pm today. Elsewhere, snow and freezing rain is also making travel difficult.
As mentioned previously, hundreds of trees down on wires; Emergency Management Directors in some towns report a number of residents walking near power lines and trees that have taken down the wires. Everyone is encouraged to stay clear of power lines, stay away from the wires, and treat every power line as if it were live. Trees and branches that are in contact with power lines should also not be touched as a wire or anything touching a power line could cause electrocution.
Some important numbers to pass on:
- For road conditions: 511 (residents are reminded to never call 911 for road conditions, to report power outages, or anything else that is not an emergency) or www.511vt.com.
- Shelter information: 211
- To report a power outage: call your local power company
_____________________________________________
VERMONT EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
NEWS ADVISORY
Date: |
12/12/08 |
|
Contact: |
Mark Bosma, Public Information Officer |
1130 Storm Update #4
WATERBURY, VT— An ice storm in Windham, Windsor, and Bennington Counties and snow in other areas of Vermont have caused extensive damage around the state.
As of 1130 power companies are reporting more than 27,000 power outages with most occurring in Windham and Windsor counties. Some customers are expected to be without power for several days. Emergency shelters will be established as needed. Those who need a warm place to stay should call 211.
Dozens of local and state roads around Southern Vermont are closed due to ice and debris on the road; please respect detour signs. Elsewhere, snow is also making travel difficult. Those who do not need to be on roads are advised to not to travel.
As mentioned previously, hundreds of trees down on wires; Emergency Management Directors in some towns report a number of residents walking near power lines and trees that have taken down the wires. Everyone is encouraged to stay clear of power lines, stay away from the wires, and treat every power line as if it were live. Trees and branches that are in contact with power lines should also not be touched as a wire or anything touching a power line could cause electrocution.
Some important numbers to pass on:
- For road conditions: 511 (residents are reminded to never call 911 for road conditions, to report power outages, or anything else that is not an emergency) or www.511vt.com.
- Shelter information: 211
- To report a power outage: call your local power company
_______________________________________________________
VERMONT EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
NEWS ADVISORY
Date: |
12/12/08 |
|
Contact: |
Mark Bosma, Public Information Officer |
Special Storm Update
WATERBURY, VT— An ice storm in Windham, Windsor, and Bennington Counties has caused extensive damage to the region. Many town crews are working to clear debris from public areas and roads; utilities are restoring power; and state and local road crews are trying to keep roads open, although many are closed.
Hundreds of trees down on wires; Emergency Management Directors in some towns report a number of residents walking near power lines and trees that have taken down the wires. Everyone is encouraged to stay clear of power lines, stay away from the wires, and treat every power line as if it were live. Trees and branches that are in contact with power lines should also not be touched as a wire or anything touching a power line could cause electrocution.
Some important numbers to pass on:
- For road conditions: 511 (residents are reminded to never call 911 for road conditions, to report power outages, or anything else that is not an emergency) or www.511vt.com.
- Shelter information: 211
- To report a power outage: call your local power company
_____________________________________
VERMONT EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
NEWS ADVISORY
Date: |
12/12/08 |
|
Contact: |
Mark Bosma, Public Information Officer |
Storm Update #2
WATERBURY, VT— Ice, snow, and sleet that has fallen on most of Vermont is causing a number of problems this morning. The southern counties of Windham, Windsor, and Bennington have seen a significant accumulation of ice, making travel extremely hazardous. Snow has also made highways slick and the Agency of Transportation has reported difficult driving conditions statewide.
Route 9 west of Brattleboro to the “Hogback” section of the road is closed and is expected to remain closed until 1000 this morning. Several problems are also being reported on Interstate 91 through Windham and Windsor counties. All drivers are urged to drive with caution, and avoid travel if that is possible.
As of 0830 nearly 31,000 customers were without power statewide; more than 25,000 of those outages are in Windham and Windsor counties. Power companies report that a number of those customers are expected to be without power for several days. Emergency shelters will be set up for those without power if the need exists. Those who may need shelter should call 211.
The State of Vermont is working with a reduced workforce in Windham, Windsor, and Bennington Counties this morning with only essential staff reporting to work.
Some important numbers to pass on:
- For road conditions: 511 (residents are reminded to never call 911 for road conditions, to report power outages, or anything else that is not an emergency) or www.511vt.com.
- Shelter information: 211
- To report a power outage: call your local power company
___________________________________________________
VERMONT EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
NEWS ADVISORY
Date: |
12/12/08 |
|
Contact: |
Mark Bosma, Public Information Officer |
Morning Storm Update
WATERBURY, VT— Several inches of snow and a significant layer of ice are causing a number of problems this morning; primarily power outages and slippery roads.
As of 0630, there were more than 22,000 outages statewide with the greatest number (more than 19,000) reported in Windham and Windsor counties where ice accumulations were most considerable.
Ice and snow on roadways are also making travel hazardous this morning; the Agency of Transportation has reported difficult driving conditions statewide. It is advisable to drive with caution this morning, or delay travel if possible.
The State of Vermont is operating at a reduced workforce status for Windham, Windsor, and Bennington Counties this morning. For more information check the Vermont Department of Human Resources website (http://www.vermontpersonnel.org/htm/closings.php) or DHR Emergency Information phone line (800-644-4402) for up-to-date information.
Updates will be issued as conditions change.
___________________________________________
Press Release
On behalf of Department of Human Resources
12/12/08
0615
Reduced State Employee Workforce in Windham, Windsor, and Bennington Counties Today
MONTPELIER, VT— Due to weather conditions, State offices in Windham, Windsor, and Bennington counties have been authorized to operate on a reduced workforce status as of 5:35am, on Friday, December 12, 2008.
Employees who are affected by the reduced workforce status during this period may do so without loss of pay or benefits. Employees designated as critical personnel should report for work at their designated times.
As conditions improve this status will be updated. State employees affected by the reduced workforce should check the Vermont Department of Human Resources website (http://www.vermontpersonnel.org/htm/closings.php <https://159.105.2.12/https/0/webmail.dps.state.vt.us/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.vermontpersonnel.org/htm/closings.php> ) or DHR Emergency Information phone line (800-644-4402) for up-to-date information.