UPDATED: Hurricane Sandy Central for Hamden

Updated Friday 4:45 p.m:

Outage numbers stand at 1,838.

"UI has crews at four different identified significant problem locations," according to Chief Administrative Officer Curt Balzano Leng. "All roads are clear now with the exception of one, thanks to the outstanding work of the Public Works Department, in conjunction when needed with UI's Make Safe crews. 

"We are frustrated that power is not restored to more of our residents at this time," he said, "but you can rest assured that the Mayor is doing all that is in his power and has been in constant contact with UI throughout this storm. 

"We have requested as many crews as UI can provide us because the town of Hamden has offered UI around the clock all hands on deck support to get as man people back on as possible," he said.

Updated Monday 8:20 p.m.

From the Mayor's Office:

UI is reporting 2,882 without power in Hamden. Because of dangerous conditions, the UI officials have been pulled off the road until the morning.

Town officials are also off the road because of the unsafe conditions. There were 73 total wire down incidents and all wires still down may be live. With live wires, town officials cannot touch the trees as they may be electrified.

Updated Monday 8 p.m.

The Hamden/North Haven YMCA will remain closed Tuesday. It will be posted on its Facebook page sometime during the day Tuesday whether it will open Wednesday.

Updated Monday 7:50 p.m.

Whitney Avenue from the center of Town up to Sherman Avenue is out of power and extremely dark. Please proceed with extreme caution.

Updated Monday 4:30 p.m:

The following roads are closed due to storm issues, including down trees and/or down power lines. This is the first round of closed roads from Hurricane Sandy.

Gaylord Mtn Road/Downs Road
Battis Road at #225
Highland Avenue at #113
135 Putnam Avenue / Clifford

Reported from Readers:

90 Lincoln St.
113 Highland Ave.

Updated Monday 4:15 p.m:

From Bob Abbate at Planet Fitness:

Planet Fitness is reaching out to the community with this offer of assistance. We know that because of Hurricane Sandy, many of our neighbors may be without electricity, water and other important services. As a public service, all 26 Planet Fitness clubs in Connecticut will open their doors to members and non-members alike so that the public can use our showers and locker rooms for free. Just contact the club nearest you to see if it's open, then stop in at any of our clubs in Connecticut and enjoy a hot shower courtesy of Planet Fitness.

Updated Monday 4 p.m.:

Town of Hamden administrative offices and the library system will be closed again on Tuesday, Oct. 30, due to Hurricane Sandy. Only “essential” personnel are required to come in to their respective offices. Department Heads will notify those staff members who are expected to report to work.

“During storms of this magnitude our overriding concern is the safety of our employees and our residents. With the weather conditions as severe as they are and are predicted to be, town staff who are not trained to work in these conditions should remain in their homes," said Mayor Scott Jackson.

Updated Monday 3:30 p.m:

From the Mayor's Office:

The Town of Hamden Transfer Station will be closed until further notice. Closing the Transfer Station allows the Public Works & Parks Departments to have all hands on deck for Hurricane Sandy storm response. The Town will report when the Transfer Station will re-open via local news, at www.hamden.com and via social media.

Hamden is providing regular storm related updates on the Town’s website atwww.hamden.com and via the Town’s social media sites on Facebook at “Town of Hamden, CT” and on Twitter at “@townofhamden” 

If you have general questions about this or other storm related issues, please call 203-230-4000.

For all emergencies – DIAL 911!

Updated Monday 3:15 p.m:

UI is reporting 142 outages as we enter the time when forecasters say the storm will hit us hardest -- from 3 p.m. Monday to 3 a.m. Tuesday.

Many stores have opted to close, including Walmart and many banks. If you are heading out to do some last-minute shopping, it's best to call ahead to make sure your destination is open.

Gov. Malloy has enacted a ban on all non-emergency vehicles on state highways as of 1 p.m. so no driving on Route 15 or I-91.

Hamden High School is open as an emergency shelter. See below for more information on what to bring, including information on pets, which are welome with some restrictions.

Original story:

Today is the day everyone has been dreading and preparing for -- the day Hurricane Sandy is scheduled to arrive. 

Town officials have spent days getting ready for what forecasters have said could be the biggest weather event in a century. Here's a recap of what you need to know:

-- School has been cancelled for both today and Tuesday. Stay tuned to Hamden Patch for further school cancellations.

-- Town administrative offices and the library system will be closed on Monday. Only “essential” personnel are required to come in to their respective offices. This order mirrors Governor Malloy’s declaration for State employees.

“I want to ensure the safety of our employees, as well as our town residents. The safest place for Town staff who are not “essential” and trained to work in these conditions is in their homes," Mayor Scott Jackson said.  

The Mayor said he will be at the Government Center and the Emergency Operations Center throughout the day to assist residents and coordinate the Town’s response to the storm.

-- Jackson announced that he has declared a Local State of Emergency for the town of Hamden effective at 1 p.m. Sunday, October 28 and will remain in effect until further notice.

-- The town’s Emergency Shelter at Hamden High School opened Sunday and will be open until at least Wednesday, Oct. 31 at 6:00 p.m. 

Hamden High School is equipped with an emergency generator for power. The shelter will be manned by Hamden’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) in coordination with the Hamden Fire Department.

Residents should bring the following items:

• Bedding
• Medications
• Lite snacks or special dietary food 
• Electronics and cell phone chargers
• Change of clothing
• Toiletries 

Cots, pillows and blankets will be available, but depending on the number of people that need to be accommodated there may not be enough for everyone. Shoreline communities are getting the majority of the commodity supplies from the state due to the fact that the storm is expected to hit shoreline communities hardest.

The Town and the Board of Education are working together to provide bagged lunches for people who need shelter, but it is advisable to bring snacks and special dietary needed food for you and your family. 

The shelter will accept pets only on the following conditions:

Owners must provide proof of current vaccinations and license, food, medications, carry case for small pets. Pets are kenneled in a separate area of the shelter. Pets are monitored by our Animal Control personnel.

The shelter will be accessed from the northern side of the building, closest to the Hamden Plaza, through either set of doors and residents will be asked to register upon entry.

-- All town government meetings are cancelled Monday, including the Legislative Council's committee meetings. 

-- There will be no refuse and recycling pick-ups on Monday and Tuesday due to Hurricane Sandy.

Residents with Monday and Tuesday pick-ups should put their refuse/recycling at the curb for a Wednesday pick-up on Oct. 31 by 6 a.m.

From Wednesday on, there will be a one day delay, which means regular Wednesday pick-ups will be picked up on Thursday morning; Regular Thursday pick-ups will put their refuse/recycling out for Friday morning pick-up; Regular Friday pick-up will put their refuse/recycling out for Saturday morning pick-up.

-- Due to Hurricane Sandy, the Hamden High School Mainstage Ensemble's production of Two Gentlemen Of Verona has been rescheduled for Thursday, Nov. 8, Friday, Nov. 9, and Saturday, Nov. 10 at 7:30 p.m. 

Ticket reservations will be transferred to the same night of the new week unless ticket holders contact the box office to make a change. 

The box office may be contacted by phone (203) 407-2040 x3102 or via email: hhsmainstage@yahoo.com. 

-- Find all of Hamden Patch's Hurricane Sandy coverage here.