Farmington 'On Top of' Hurricane Preparations

Farmington Public Schools announced Sunday evening they will be closed Monday. A determination on Tuesday will be made later.

Farmington officials are preparing for the worst of Hurricane Sandy but hoping that recent forecasts predicting the town won’t get hit with massive rain will prove accurate.

Indeed, flooding was a major concern during the October 2011 snowstorm after several roads flooded and residents had to be evacuated from their homes. In addition, flooding on Farmington Avenue and New Britain Avenue threatened to cut off access to the town’s emergency shelter at Farmington High School and emergency operations center at the Police Department.

Town Council Chairman Jeff Hogan said officials have been watching the forecasts closely and will continue to make preparations Monday morning, when the town's emergency operations center will open and Town Manager Kathy Eagen will meet with the town’s department heads.

“We’ll be doing an assessment tomorrow morning. Everyone’s on standby and we’re planning for a shelter,” Hogan said.

With Hurricane Sandy looking like more of a wind event for Farmington, the town is planning on opening the emergency shelter again at Farmington High School, where more than 2,000 residents took refuge last year. Officials will open the emergency shelter on Monday, according to a press release from the town.

“We’re completely on top of what’s going on and after the two big storms people are ready and have a better idea of what to expect,” Hogan said.