Winter Storm Benjamin arrived about an hour earlier than expected this morning covering the streets and all surfaces with a thin blanket of white before 8 a.m.
The Orange Highway Department workers began what promises to be a l-o-n-g day of plowing and making the streets safe for resident and travelers of all kinds.
Orange police and volunteer firefighters are on call 24/7 and they depend on the Highway Department’s good work to let them do their jobs safely and arrive on calls in a timely manner.
NOTE: By noon, there will be a commercial truck ban on the highways in Connecticut.
Closures
If you feel the need to go somewhere, call your destination before heading out. Some local businesses, made the decision to close today, several hours before the first snowflakes fell. For example, the Orange Ale House, which does a powerful business every Football Sunday, is dark today for the safety of its employees and customers alike.
Knowing that the weather could be an issue with slippery roads, poor visibility, and of course driving after having a drink or two, all could put those whom he cares about in peril, staying closed for the day was a no-brainer for owner Jim Hassenmayer.
Are You Prepared?
Everyone needs to have a plan for the day. Hopefully you all filled your refrigerators, pantries and gas tanks by Saturday night, so there is no need to get in your car and drive today.
If you clean up your own snow, even though it’s going to be light and fluffy, it promises to build up quickly — up to a foot. My neighbor and I plan to go out every 3 hours to shovel and keep it under control. Near the end, we may see a nasty covering of sleet which would make the snow very heavy and more difficult to remove.
I took a 6X8 tarp and covered my front steps so, instead of shoveling or wasting the coveted ice melt on them, all I have to do when it’s all over is pull the tarp down and toss the accumulation into the yard.
Got Ice Melt?
Icd melt, especially the pet safe brands, were all but impossible to acquire during the past week. I physically went to 9 stores, and repeatedly called pet stores, hardware stores and Auto Zone to check if any shipments had arrived. The second the trucks left the parking logs, all types of ice melt was snatched up.
After noticing that Amazon was offering what I needed at double the cost, I placed an online order at the Stratford Auto Zone on Tuesday. I bought two containers and then anxiously awaited the phone call that my order was ready to pickup.
On Friday night, I was delighted to drive over there and get my pet safe ice melt. It’s important to me not to use the common calcium chloride because it can irritate dog’s tender paw pads, and my dog is my world, and I also care about Sylvie, Charlie, Finn, and Mogli, who walk by my house nearly every day.
Protect your structures
I have a greenhouse that I constructed myself last year. It’s my favorite place on my property. Last fall I covered the entire structure with heavy plastic, which helps keep it insulated during the cold weather.
Even though the snow will be fluffy, I will remove any accumulation off the top every time I go outside, being especially diligent when the sleet comes down. I’m confident that it’s strong, but I won’t take any chance of having damage due to heavy accumulation. (I watched as my canvas roof gazebo imploded during heavy snowfall 2 years ago)
Help your neighbors
If you have an elderly or disabled neighbor give them a call and ask if they need anything [lunch or snow shoveling] Older folks who can’t afford to hire a snow removal service will appreciate the help.
In about 15 minutes, I will take my first shift cleaning up outside, using my battery operated snow thrower on my property, and hitting the sidewalk in front of both my nice neighbors to the left of my home. I’m lucky to have great neighbors on that side. We all help one another in any way we can, whenever any of us needs anything. I hope you have someone you can count on too.
Remember, take baby steps when walking out there, fluffy snow can cause very slippery conditions.