Winter Storm Update: Closings and Preparedness Information.

February 25, 2022 By Hartford HealthCare

Winter storm to dump snow, sleet and freezing rain on the region

A winter storm is expected to impact Connecticut Thursday night and Friday with snow, sleet and freezing rain.

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for central and northern Connecticut for 4-8 inches of snow and a Winter Weather Advisory for southern Connecticut where 2-4 inches is expected with more sleet and freezing rain mixing in.

No matter where you live, expect heavy snow after midnight with potentially hazardous driving conditions during the morning rush. The snow, sleet and rain is expected to taper off by Friday afternoon.

Cancelations, Closures, Delayed Openings:

COVID Testing Sites

• The following Drive-Up Covid Testing Sites are closed 02/25/22:
  - BRIDGEPORT: St. Vincent's Medical Center, 2979 Main Street
  - HARTFORD: Market Street, 300 Market Street
  - MERIDEN: MidState Medical Center, 435 Lewis Ave.
  - NEWINGTON: HHC System Support Office, 181 Patricia M. Genova Dr.
  - NEW BRITAIN: Hospital of Central Connecticut, 61 Hart Street
  - NORWICH: Backus Hospital, 11 Stott Ave.
  - TORRINGTON: Charlotte Hungerford Hospital, 540 Litchfield Street
  - WILLIMANTIC: Windham Hospital, 132 Mansfield Avenue

COVID Vaccine Clinics

• Norwich: Backus Hospital, 326 Washington Street, closed 02/25/22
  
• Willimantic: Windham Hospital, 112 Mansfield Ave., closed 02/25/22

Charlotte Hungerford Hospital

• CHH Medical Oncology & Infusion Center (40 Litchfield ST, Torrington) will open late 02/25/22 at 1200 pm.

Hartford HealthCare Medical Group

• The following Primary Care Offices will open for virtual visits at 8AM, in-person visits at 1PM, on 02/25/22: Milford, Stratford, Bridgeport, Trumbull, Fairfield, Monroe, Oxford, Westport, Stamford

The Hospital of Central Connecticut

• Cancer Institute (201 N. Mountain Rd, Plainville) will open late 02/25/22 at 9:30am.
• Infusion Services (85 Meriden Ave, Southington) will open late 02/25/22 at 9:30am.
• Medical Oncology (55 Meriden Ave, Southington) will open late 02/25/22 at 9:30am.

MidState Medical Center

• Medical Oncology (435 Lewis Ave, Meriden) will open late 02/25/22 at 12:30pm.
• MediQuick (61 Pomeroy Avenue, Meriden) will open late 02/25/22 at 10:00am; closed at 7:30pm.
• Wound Care (61 Pomeroy Avenue, Meriden) is closed 02/25/22. Phones will be answered.

Natchaug Hospital

• Green Valley School (206 Pond Rd Franklin CT) is closed 02/25/22
• Joshua Center Thames Valley CDT School (11A Stott Ave Norwich CT) is closed 02/25/22
• Joshua Center Shoreline CDT School (5 Research Parkway Old Saybrook CT) is closed 02/25/22
• Joshua Center NE CDT School (934 North Main St Danielson CT) is closed 02/25/22
• Joshua Center Enfield CDT School (72 Shaker Road, Enfield CT) is closed 02/25/22

Rushford

• Rushford Academy School Durham (459 Wallingford Road CT) is closed 02/25/22

St. Vincent's Medical Center

• Cardiac Rehab (2800 Main St Bridgeport, CT 06606) is closed 02/25/22.
• Center for Wound Healing - Stratford (3272 Main Street) will open late 02/25/22 at 09:00 am.
• Center for Wound Healing - Trumbull (115 Technology Suite CP101 Drive) will open late 02/25/22 at 12:30 pm.
• Medical Oncology and Infusion Center (2800 Main Street, Bridgeport) will open late 02/25/22 at 10am.
• Medical Oncology and Infusion Center (425 Post Rd., Fairfield) will open late 02/25/22 at 10:00 AM.
• Radiation Oncology, 2800 Main Street, Bridgeport will open late 02/25/22 at 12pm.

Here are some safety tips from Hartford HealthCare:

The American Red Cross suggests putting together a supply kit that includes:

• Water—at least a 3-day supply; one gallon per person per day.
• Food—at least a 3-day supply of non-perishable, easy-to-prepare food.
• Flashlight.
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible).
• Extra batteries.
• First aid kit.
• Medications (7-day supply) and medical items (hearing aids with extra batteries, glasses, contact lenses, syringes, etc.).
• Multi-purpose tool.
• Sanitation and personal hygiene items.
• Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies).
• Cell phone with chargers.
• Family and emergency contact information.
• Extra cash.
• Baby supplies (bottles, formula, baby food, diapers).
• Pet supplies (collar, leash, ID, food, carrier, bowl).
• Tools/supplies for securing your home.
• Sand, rock salt or non-clumping kitty litter to make walkways and steps less slippery.
• Warm coats, gloves or mittens, hats, boots and extra blankets and warm clothing for all household members.
• Ample alternate heating methods such as fireplaces or wood- or coal-burning stoves.

Safe driving tips from AAA:

• Never warm up a vehicle in an enclosed area, such as a garage.
• Make certain your tires are properly inflated.
• Keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid gas line freeze-up.
• If possible, avoid using your parking brake in cold, snowy weather.
• Do not use cruise control when driving on any slippery surface (wet, ice, sand).
• Always look and steer where you want to go.
• Use your seat belt every time you get into your vehicle.
• Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Applying the gas slowly to accelerate is the best method for regaining traction and avoiding skids. Don’t try to get moving in a hurry. And take time to slow down for a stoplight. Remember: It takes longer to slow down on icy roads.
• Drive slowly. Everything takes longer on snow-covered roads. Accelerating, stopping, turning – nothing happens as quickly as on dry pavement. Give yourself time to maneuver by driving slowly.
• The normal dry pavement following distance of three to four seconds should be increased to eight to ten seconds. This increased margin of safety will provide the longer distance needed if you have to stop.
• Know your brakes. Whether you have antilock brakes or not, the best way to stop is threshold breaking. Keep the heel of your foot on the floor and use the ball of your foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal.
• Don’t stop if you can avoid it. There’s a big difference in the amount of inertia it takes to start moving from a full stop versus how much it takes to get moving while still rolling. If you can slow down enough to keep rolling until a traffic light changes, do it.
• Don’t power up hills. Applying extra gas on snow-covered roads just starts your wheels spinning. Try to get a little inertia going before you reach the hill and let that inertia carry you to the top. As you reach the crest of the hill, reduce your speed and proceed downhill as slowly as possible.
• Don’t stop going up a hill. There’s nothing worse than trying to get moving up a hill on an icy road. Get some inertia going on a flat roadway before you take on the hill.

Snow blower safety:

• Never stick your hands in the snow blower! If snow jams the snow blower, stop the engine and wait more than 5 seconds. Use a solid object to clear wet snow or debris from the chute. Beware of the recoil of the motor and blades after the machine has been turned off.
• Never leave a running snow blower unattended.
• Add fuel only before starting the snow blower.
• Never add fuel in an enclosed space.
• The engine can become very hot. Avoid burns by never touching the area near the engine.
• Use the pull-cord safely. Sharply pulling a stuck pull-cord may cause injury to your upper body or back.
• If you are operating an electric snow blower, be aware of the power cord at all times. If the cord becomes caught in the machine and is severed or comes in contact with the engine and burns, you could receive a shock or more serious injury.
• Keep children far away from snow blowers.

Safe shoveling:

• Before you begin this physical workout, warm-up your muscles for 10 minutes with light exercise.
• Pace yourself. Take frequent breaks and prevent dehydration by drinking plenty of fluids.
• Use a shovel that is comfortable for your height and strength.
• Try to push the snow instead of lifting it. If you must lift, bend your knees and use your legs, do not bend at the waist.
• Do not throw the snow over your shoulder or to the side. This requires a twisting motion that stresses your back.