One Last Pre-Irene Warning By Steward

Operating out of the emergency management building with his police chief, fire director and other emergency personnel, First Selectman Dan Steward again told residents this evening to of Hurricane Irene and evacuate if necessary.

“If anyone needs to evacuate, they should do it soon,” Steward said, who said people should stay off the roads if winds exceed 55 mph. The evacuation center is at East Lyme Middle School at .

If winds exceed 60 mph, emergency responders will not be able to respond, per order of the state, Steward said. At that point, it becomes too dangerous for the emergency responders, he said.

Everybody should clear everything off of their yards, if they haven’t already, the selectman said. People should ensure their generators are , he said.

The forecast continues to say the storm will start sometime tonight, and intensify Sunday morning. The wind speed of the storm for Waterford remains unknown, ranged somewhere between 45 to 80 mph, according to various reports.

“I don’t know what to expect,” Steward said. “I just hope people take this seriously.”

At least two people have died already from the storm, both from falling limbs, according to the Associated Press.

The town contacted everybody who they knew required special assistance. Very few people accepted the town’s offer to drive them to the evacuation shelter, Steward said.

Extra policemen and firemen remain on duty and on call, Steward said.

“We are as prepared as we can be,” he said.