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FAIRFIELD, Conn. Lawrence and Lou Anne Freeman got the call Friday evening: Please evacuate your home. So the Fairfield Beach Road residents did as told Saturday afternoon, packing up some clothes, DVDs, books and games and heading over to Fairfield Ludlowe High School to wait out Hurricane Irene.
Well be here until its over, Lou Anne said. Lawrence added, Hopefully sooner than later.
Hurricane Irene continued its march up the East Coast Saturday, and is due to show its first signs Saturday night before reaching its peak Sunday afternoon. Because Irenes worst portions will come at high tide, and during a full moon, Fairfields leaders expect massive flooding along Fairfield Beach.
Interim First Selectman Michael Tetreau ordered a mandatory evacuation of homes within one block of the shoreline by 4 p.m. Saturday. He also ordered residents in areas that have experienced flooding during any storm in the past to clear out as well. A full list of evacuated streets is available on the towns website.
Thats what brought out Mimi Vargas and Al Strauss, who set up camp in Fairfield Ludlowes gymnasium not far from the Freemans set of cots. Vargas has lived off Kings Highway near Interstate 95 for more than 40 years, but said she cannot remember being asked to evacuate like this. Still, she and Strauss said they were comfortable in the shelter so far.
It seems like everyones very helpful, and very friendly, Vargas said. Strauss added, They cant do enough for you.
Fairfields Civilian Emergency Response Team (CERT) is co-running the shelter with the Medical Response Team. The shelter has plenty of cots, blankets, games and space to accommodate Fairfields evacuees, along with some reserves of food and bottled water. Pets are also welcome, in a separate space at the high school. Though only 13 residents had checked into the shelter by 5 p.m. Saturday, about 15 volunteers will stay at the shelter on rotating shifts.
Its not comfortable, said Norma Peterson, head of the Civilian Emergency Response Team. But well make it as welcoming as we can.
Though police officers and firefighters went door-to-door Saturday evening informing residents about the evacuation, some residents said they planned to stay put. Pat McInerney spent Saturday morning boarding the windows on his Lalley Boulevard home, but said hed prefer not to leave unless the town shuts down his power, which Tetreau said might happen as a safety measure.
If the power stays on, Ill stick around, McInerney said. If they shut it off, Ill have to get out of here.
Did you have to evacuate your home because of Hurricane Irene? Tell us about the experience in the comments below.
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