Call 2-1-1 for assistance any where in the state.

If you experience an outage, call us anytime at 1-800-286-2000 (860-947-2000 in Hartford/Meriden).

The state is asking individuals to please register their PDA's, Mobile Phones, email, text/messaging with: ctalert.gov for emergency updates.

For the American Red Cross: www.redcross.org/mobileapps

Preparedness: www.redcross.org/prepare

Call 2-1-1 for information about shleters in your town. Or visit:

211ct.org

For CL&P customers, text the word outage AND your zip code to : 24612 for the outage map you can find it on cl-p.com/outage

For UI customers, for outage map: uinet.com - 1-800-7-CALL-UI (1-800-722-5584). CLICK here for UI outage map.

 9-1-1 of course for emergencies.

Storm preparation tips

Stay away from downed power lines

 Keep your distance from any downed power lines, and call 911 to report them to the police or fire department. Treat all wires — even those that are hanging or downed — as if they are "live" (energized). Don't drive over downed lines, and if a downed line is in or near water, keep your distance from the water, even a little puddle. And whether a power line is down or not, don't touch anything that might be in contact with it, such as a tree limb.

Check medications that require refrigeration

 Be sure you know if they will be affected by a prolonged interruption of power. You may want to talk with your pharmacist. You may also want to keep a small cooler handy.

Set your refrigerator and freezer to their coldest settings

 Do this a half day or so before the storm is scheduled to hit. Be sure to return the settings to their normal position as soon as electricity has been restored.

Get extra ice

 Ice helps maintain cold temperatures in your freezer and refrigerator. Use plastic bags filled with ice (or water, if you have enough time to freeze it) in the freezer. Use block ice, if possible, in the refrigerator. And should the ice melt, you can drink the water.

Set aside water

 This is vital if you depend on a water pump that might be disabled during a storm. Sanitize and fill spare containers with water for drinking. Fill your bathtub with water for use in the toilet. A bucket of water poured in the toilet bowl is all that's needed for flushing.

Be prepared to cook outside

 It is possible that your stove will not work, so you may wish to use your backyard grill for cooking. However, please beware! Do not bring the grill indoors. A grill without proper ventilation can be deadly.

Stock up on batteries and easy-to-prepare food

 Give yourself the greatest flexibility in meal preparation, and the greatest comfort once the sun goes down. Don't forget flashlights (one for each person in your family), batteries and a manual can opener.

Prepare alternative sources of heat or find an emergency shelter

Even a gas or oil furnace needs electricity to operate, so if you have a fireplace or wood stove as an alternative heat source be sure you have enough wood. A portable electric generator can be a valuable backup source of power to operate your furnace and appliances. Just be sure you have it installed by a licensced electrician. If you have no alternative heat, find out where an emergency shelter will be, if it is needed. Call your local fire or police department or local Red Cross chapter. In frigid weather, if your power is likely to be out for more than a few days, you may want to call your plumber and ask about draining your home's water pipes so they don't freeze and burst.

Unplug sensitive equipment

 Voltage irregularities can occur for any number of reasons during or after a storm, especially if there has been damage on or near your home. The safest thing to do is to unplug any sensitive electrical devices (e.g., TV, DVD Player, stereo, microwave, computer, iPod, answering machine, garage door opener). Planning ahead, you may wish to consider surge suppressors. They can be purchased either for individual pieces of equipment, or for your entire house.

Fill your car’s gas tank

 During an outage, gas stations may not be operating, so it's important to fill your tank before a storm. You just never know where you might need to go or how long it might take to get there.

Plan to live without everyday tools that need electricity

 For example, be sure you know how to shut and open your electric garage door manually. And if you keep your cellar free from flooding by using a sump pump, be prepared to call your local fire department for help if you lose power for an extended period.

Keep a battery-operated radio handy

Be ready to stay informed with the storm's progress, as well as safety tips and clean-up operations. Don't forget fresh batteries.

Prepare a “lights out” kit

 Your kit should contain a flashlight, fresh water, prescription medicine, prepared foods and other items needed when the lights go out. For more information, download the American Red Cross brochure, Your Family Disaster Supplies Kit. It's also a good idea to have some extra cash on hand and to fully charge your mobile phone. By following these tips and preparing your own emergency kit before a storm strikes, you will be better able to weather the storm.

  Avoid Carbon Monoxide Poisoning!

 So many people are gearing up for the storm and firing up their generators. A reminder to PLEASE be careful and aware!

 -Never use portable generators inside homes or garages, even if doors and windows are open. Use generators OUTSIDE, far away from the home.

-Never bring a charcoal grill into the house for heating or cooking. Do not barbeque in the garage.

-Never use a gas range or oven for heating.

-Open the fireplace damper before lighting a fire and keep it open until the ashes are cool. An open damper may help prevent build-up of poisonous gases inside the home.