Politics & Government

Tesei: 4,000 Residences Need to Evacuate Greenwich Shoreline [VIDEO]

Residents along coastline and rivers have been ordered to evacuate as Hurricane Sandy approaches.

 

Residents living in coastal zones along Long Island Sound, and the Byram and Mianus rivers have been ordered to evacuate, according to Greenwich First Selectman Peter Tesei.

Approximately 4,000 homes are affected, Tesei said during a press briefing Sunday night at the Greenwich Police Department.

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"We get our guidance from the state of Connecticut and we have received information over the course of the day from Governor Malloy and his command team ... that we in a coastal community like Greenwich, need to tak action to secure the safety of those individuals living in the coastals communities."

According to the town's website, "Hurricane Sandy is predicted to bring high tide storm surges to Long Island Sound exceeding 100-year historic storm surge events."

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Tesei said, "To that end we have called for a mandatory evacuation of those neighborhoods."

For specific streets and neighborhoods that are under evacuation, please click here. The evacuation extends from Old Greenwich to Byram and in Cos Cob along the Mianus River and the Mill Pond areas, Tesei said.

While the town has opened shelters at Eastern Middle School, 51 Hendrie Ave., Riverside, and the Bendheim Western Greenwich Civic Center, 449 Pemberwick Rd., Tesei asked residents who live on higher ground to take in displaced residents. Between the two shelters, there are beds for about 275 people, officials said.

Tesei also said during the press conference that Greenwich Point, has been closed to visitors. "As nice as it is to go out and look at the surf and look at the power of Mother Nature, this is not something we can afford to do in this event. It is extremely dangerous," Tesei said.

He also said that only essential Greenwich Town Hall personnel will be required to report to work.

*Greenwich Patch will have continue coverage of Hurricane Sandy as updates are made available.

This story originally published on Greenwich Patch at 10:50 p.m., Oct. 28. The time stamp was updated for layout purposes.


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