Headed south on Interstate 91 after a photo shoot and combined equine event weekend, the number of out-of-state utility trucks and cable vans still roaming the region late on Sunday served as a reminder. As farms, businesses, livestock owners and households are still cleaning up debris, making repairs and recovering losses from the recent snow on foliage near its peak – the thought came to mind: Are we getting ready for the next one?

With three weekends of covering events in Connecticut and Massachusetts (Amherst also lost many trees and has storm damage), we've learned plenty by listening.

“It could have been worse” was the most often heard response from the can-do people with businesses and farms. Used to solving problems every day, they fed stock, repaired fencing, called on neighbors – and kept doing their work in the face of all challenges. It's what they do.

Mountain Dairy of Storrs produces and processes milk on the Stearns family farm since 1871 – and they had power throughout – reached out to help others not as fortunate. They kept producing and supplying milk and dairy products – on time, as promised.

A neighbor shared that a generator he purchased for $700 earlier this year is now selling for $1,600. Same generator, different demand.

A nurse in East Haddam, down for 8 days last storm did not lose power for a minute during the recent and more widespread outages – she chalked it up to karma – but shared that getting to and from work in a rehab center was an interesting journey due to lines and trees down.

Life goes on – the majority of the population is back to being busy with work, family schedules, preparing for holiday meals and their daily routine. But with the potential of a winter storm with ice, snow and outages, now is the time for re-stocking of necessary items (batteries, lanterns, etc.) – and remembering what worked well – and what needs fixing before sub-zero conditions add another factor.

Making lists and getting prepared – plan for the worst, hope for the best – and keep on an eye on the quiet people who carry on and get things done without complaint, no matter what. They make events happen on time and are the backbone of our communities.

Meantime, Connecticut's Two Storm Panel task force, formerly known as the S.T.O.R.M. Irene Panel, is powering up to find solutions for a state with diverse regions within its borders – while residents of this populated state look square in the face of an approaching winter.

The eight-member task force is co-chaired by Joseph McGee, vice president of the Business Council of Fairfield County and Major General James Skiff, U.S. Air Force, retired. Members are Peter Carozza, president, Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters; Terry Edelstein, president, Connecticut Community Providers Association; Lee Hoffman, attorney, Pullman & Comley; Scott Jackson, Mayor of Hamden; Robert McGrath, former fire chief, Stamford; Cathy Osten, First Selectman, Sprague. Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy has charged the team with reviewing the preparedness, response and recovery efforts of the state and its partners – including the utilities and municipalities. Their goal is to present to the Governor a set of recommendations on how to improve response to future storms and other natural disasters.

While some point fingers and others sound like an angry mob looking to pin the blame on one person, panel members gather real-life solutions from leaders in other states – including one whose communities dealt with 12 hurricanes in one season. They report findings to the Governor;
to watch a session online, visit CT-N, linked here.

“Our state was hit twice in a short period of time by devastating weather events that created a lot of havoc and revealed vulnerabilities that should have been addressed years, if not decades ago,” Governor Malloy said. “With that in mind, I also want to ensure that whatever changes we make as a state – whether it’s through legislation, changes in best practices, or anything else – are adjustments that will actually work when put into practice and are not quick fixes that might look good on paper but won’t result in actual improvements in future emergency events.”

“You are either part of the solution or part of the problem.” – Eldridge Cleaver (1935 – 1998), American author

Note: Got a story about the storm or a readiness tip that helped? Call us at (860) 573-6181.