Spring Beekeeping Workshop

Spring Beekeeping Workshop
Demonstration Hive

Friday, August 26, 2011

HURRICANE IRENE EXPECTED SOON

The following information is being circulated by the Connecticut Department of Agriculture to help you prepare for the coming hurricane expected to hit our state on Sunday morning. Even if you are not an agricultural producer, this is , helpful. If you have a garden, it would be a good idea to harvest as much as you can of sensitive crops that may be damaged by heavy rain, or provide protection for them. Hoops or cold frames should be securely anchored. If you have greenhouses and the plastic sides are rolled up, unroll the plastic and anchor securely to the ground and bury the edge of the plastic so wind cannot get underneath and whip the plastic off your greenhouse.

Also, make sure you have adequate supplies of drinking water on hand. Emergency personel recommend 1 gallon of water per person per day. If power goes out, we don't know how long it will be for, so over compensate!

From Agricultural Commissioner Steven K. Reviczky: An important message regarding Hurricane Irene


Dear Connecticut Agricultural Producer:



The latest report from the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (http://www.ct.gov/demhs), issued at 8:15 a.m. today (Friday), indicates that Hurricane Irene is expected to arrive in the Bridgeport, Connecticut, area around 11:00 a.m. Sunday morning as a strong Category I hurricane.



It is imperative you take the necessary precautions to ensure the safety of yourself, family, farm, and livestock.



The first effects from Irene are expected to begin Saturday afternoon with light rain, which is expected to become heavy at times by midnight. Heavy rain is expected to continue from midnight on Saturday through the passage of the center of Irene late Sunday morning (especially in Western Connecticut). Tropical storm force winds are expected to enter the state before daybreak on Sunday and hurricane force winds are expected by mid morning on Sunday.



Information has been posted on the Connecticut Department of Agriculture's website, www.ctgrown.gov, to help you prepare your farm for the storm. Additional information from Governor Malloy, available at www.ct.gov/Irene, can help you prepare your home and family.



The Connecticut Department of Agriculture will be collecting information about storm-related damage to farms in the state. If you incur damage to your livestock, crops, equipment, or buildings, please fill out and return the attached form to us as soon as possible.



Please return the forms via one of the following methods:

Email: ctdeptag@ct.gov
Fax: 860-713-2516
USPS: CT Department of Agriculture Marketing Department, 165 Capitol Avenue, Room 129, Hartford, CT 06106.


This information will be used to prepare damage reports for Governor Malloy and the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection if needed. It also may be used to seek federal assistance if the extent of the damage warrants. Therefore it is very important that we receive information that is as accurate and complete as possible as soon as possible.



Thank you for your assistance. Please stay safe and feel free to contact us with any questions you may have.





Sincerely,



Steven K. Reviczky

Commissioner