| from Town of New Gloucester – Impending Storm Update |
The Town Manager, Municipal Officers, Fire Department and Public Works are actively watching and preparing for the potential serious weather expected between 1am Friday and 1am Saturday.
According to the National Weather Service in Gray, this area can see strong winds, heavy rains and then freezing temperatures. More specifically, winds gusts reaching over 50mph, rain accumulations of over 2.25 inches and then temperatures dropping below freezing with a wind chill near zero degrees, at times.
A warming place, if needed, during or after the storm will be set up at the AMVETS hall on Lewiston Road. As the storm progresses, we will determine if the warming center needs to be opened or not. We will announce this on social media accounts and the Town website (www.newgloucester.com).
In the event of long-term outages, the High School in Gray is being prepared as a shelter, with showers available. This location will also be activated, if needed, and relayed to the public by the best means possible.
In the event of an emergency please call 911. In the event of a non-emergency, information on the warming place (AMVETS) or shelter (High School) opening, or general storm-related needs, please call the non-emergency fire station line at 926-4142. If there is no answer, please call the non-emergency line at dispatch 893-2810.
Remember, in all emergencies or life safety situations, please call 911.
A few safety reminders: If you do need to use a generator, please make sure it is ventilated properly and not inside the building. It may also be best to fill a few containers with water to have in case the power goes out. Also make sure to have sand or salt available as freezing is expected as the storm winds down. You may fill two five-gallon buckets at the public sand pile to the left of the Fire Station at 611 Lewiston Road.
If you absolutely need to travel tomorrow, please use extreme caution; otherwise please stay home.
We have also closed the Transfer Station for Friday (December 23rd) to help keep people safe at home.
Lastly, we understand the needs of a warm place and shelter may extend past tomorrow, depending on power outages. Make sure to check on your neighbors and loved ones. If needs arise, please don’t hesitate to be reach out. We are all in this together.
— from the Town website: newgloucester.com
