Windsor Storm Shelter, Emergency Operations Center Designated

With Hurricane Irene striking a patch up the Eastern Seaboard, it's only a matter of time before Saturday's rain and Sunday's high winds reach Windsor.

Flooding could pose the greatest risk for residents in low-lying areas, but high winds are expected to do some damage, and town officials want residents to be prepared.

Windsor Police Captain Tom LePore said that residents should be particularly wary of downed power lines.

They should be treated as if they are live, he said. Often times, he continued, "the generators that people buy are not properly installed" and could pose danger should poles and lines end up on the ground.

Traffic signals will likely be out of service as well, he said. At intersections, drivers should "stop and proceed with caution. Drivers should treat intersections as if there is a [four-way] stop."

While drivers are encouraged to use caution while on the roads, everyone should "stay off of the roads during the storm," LePore added.

Town Hall will serve as Windsor's Emergency Operations Center, and, for the few who could possibly be evacuated, L.P. Wilson will serve as the shelter.

Town officials met Thursday afternoon to coordinate a plan heading into this weekend's storm.