ned lamont

UPDATE: Governor Extends Cold Severe Cold Weather Protocol Through Feb. 5

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Governor Ned Lamont has extended Connecticut’s Severe Cold Weather Protocol through Thursday, February 5, 2026, as forecasts indicate extremely cold temperatures will continue into early February.

This is expected to be an exceptionally frigid period, delivering some of the coldest temperatures the state has experienced so far this season, particularly overnight. Over the next week, temperatures are likely to range from a high of 28 degrees and a low of -2 degrees with wind chills reaching -19 degrees at times.

The purpose of the protocol is to ensure that the most vulnerable populations receive protection from severe cold, which can be life-threatening if exposed to the elements for extended periods. While enacted, a system is set up for state agencies and municipalities to coordinate with United Way 2-1-1 and Connecticut’s network of shelters to make sure that anyone in need can access shelter from the outdoors, including transportation to shelters.

Anyone in need of shelter or a warming center is urged to visit 211ct.org or call 2-1-1 to find available locations. Transportation can be provided if necessary.

“We’re about to experience some of the coldest weather Connecticut has had in quite a while, and it cannot be stressed enough that temperatures this low can be fatal if someone is outside for too long,” Governor Lamont said. “This protocol enables us to partner with municipalities and nonprofits to see that shelters and warming centers are available for anyone in need. I also urge everyone to bring their pets indoors during this period because these conditions can be extremely dangerous for them, as well.”

The following actions are implemented while the protocol is enacted:

  • The Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection’s Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security uses its WebEOC communications network, an internet-based system that enables local, regional, and state emergency management officials and first responders to share up-to-date information on a variety of situations and conditions. The system monitors capacity at shelters across the state, enabling 2-1-1 to act as a clearinghouse to help find shelter space for those who need it. Local officials, working through WebEOC, can alert 2-1-1 and the state when they open temporary shelters or warming centers.
  • The Connecticut Department of Social Services, Connecticut Department of Housing, and Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services coordinate with 2-1-1 and the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness, along with community-based providers, to provide transportation for people seeking shelter.

For emergency management news and resources, visit the state’s CTPrepares website at ct.gov/ctprepares.

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Gov. Lamont Activates Extreme Hot Weather Protocol Monday

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Cooling Centers Will Open and Can be Located by Visiting 211ct.org or Calling 2-1-1

Governor Ned Lamont today announced that due to a weather forecast indicating that Connecticut will experience a multi-day heat wave over the coming week, he is directing the state’s Extreme Hot Weather Protocol to be activated effective at 12:00 p.m. on Monday, July 28, 2025, and remaining in effect through at least 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 30, 2025.

During this period, temperatures are expected to reach into the 90s and will be accompanied by humid conditions pushing the heat index near or above 100 degrees.

This is the third time the protocol has been activated this year. The purpose of activating the protocol is to ensure that the most vulnerable populations receive protection from the hot conditions. While enacted, a system is set up for state agencies, municipalities, and other partners to coordinate with United Way 2-1-1 to make sure that information regarding cooling centers is available statewide, providing a location for those in need of relief.

Cooling centers will be available throughout the state. Anyone in need of a place to get out of the heat can locate their nearest cooling center by viewing the list that will be published online at 211ct.org or calling 2-1-1.

“The forecast is indicating that we are in for another stretch of hot and muggy conditions over the next few days, and we’re working with our partners to open cooling centers,” Governor Lamont said. “We’re advising those who are most vulnerable to extreme conditions, especially seniors and those who have certain disabilities and medical conditions, that they should take precautions to stay hydrated and cool. To locate a nearby cooling center, view the list that will be published online at 211ct.org or call 2-1-1.”

The following actions are implemented while Connecticut’s Extreme Hot Weather Protocol is enacted:

  • The Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection’s Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security uses its WebEOC communications network, which is an internet-based system that enables local, regional, and state emergency management officials and first responders to share up-to-date information about a variety of situations and conditions.
  • Municipalities and other partners submit information on the opening of cooling centers into the WebEOC, providing a real-time database on the availability of these locations statewide. United Way 2-1-1 uses the system to act as a clearinghouse to assist residents in locating a cooling center.
  • Regional coordinators from the Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security monitor WebEOC to respond to any requests from municipalities for state assistance.
  • The energy utility companies provide the state with regular updates regarding the impact of the weather conditions on their respective utilities throughout the duration of the protocol.

Although anyone can suffer from heat-related illness, some people are at greater risk than others:

  • Infants and young children are sensitive to the effects of high temperatures and rely on others to regulate their environments and provide adequate liquids.
  • People 65 years of age or older may not compensate for heat stress efficiently and are less likely to sense and respond to change in temperature.
  • People who are overweight may be prone to heat sickness because of their tendency to retain more body heat.
  • People who overexert during work or exercise may become dehydrated and susceptible to heat sickness.
  • People who are physically ill, especially those with heart disease or high blood pressure, or who take certain medications, such as for depression, insomnia, or poor circulation, may be affected by extreme heat.

Some prevention tips to stay safe in extreme heat include:

  • Keep your body temperature cool to avoid heat-related illness.
  • Stay in air-conditioned buildings as much as possible. If you must be outdoors, try to limit your outdoor activity to the morning and evening. Try to rest often in shady areas so that your body has a chance to cool off.
  • Find an air-conditioned location. (Call 2-1-1 for a list of cooling centers.) Do not rely on a fan as your primary cooling device.
  • Avoid direct sunlight.
  • Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing.
  • Take cool showers or baths.
  • Check on those most at-risk several times a day.
  • Pets that cannot be brought indoors should be provided ready access to water and shade to keep them cool.
  • Never leave pets inside of parked vehicles because temperatures can soar to life-threatening levels within minutes.

Everyone is also reminded to stay hydrated during periods of extreme heat. As we lose fluid through sweat, dehydration is common during very high temperatures. It is strongly encouraged to:

  • Drink more water than usual.
  • Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink more fluids.
  • Drink two to four cups of water every hour while working or exercising outside.
  • Avoid alcohol or liquids containing high amounts of sugar.
  • Remind others to drink enough water.

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Press Release: Governor Lamont Announces Launch of the Lead Free CT Campaign to Protect Children From the Harmful Health Impacts of Lead

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infant looking out of a window

Governor Ned Lamont announced Wednesday the launch of Lead Free CT, a new campaign overseen by the Connecticut Department of Public Health with the goal of protecting children from the harmful health impacts of lead and creating a lead-free Connecticut.

Its objectives of include:

  • Making older homes where children or pregnant people live lead safe;
  • Collecting information on all known lead service water lines in Connecticut;
  • Replacing lead pipes that bring water to homes, childcare centers, and schools;
  • Supporting families who find lead in their home or water;
  • Offering funding to get Connecticut communities lead-free;
  • Having all Connecticut children tested for lead;
  • Raising awareness of lead testing and safety among parents; and
  • Educating communities, contractors, and landlords on lead laws and safety.

A key component of the Lead Free CT campaign includes the launch of a lead abatement program, which is providing homeowners and landlords with the opportunity to make older homes lead-safe by removing lead paint hazards at no cost. Funded by $20 million from the federal American Rescue Plan Act, this limited-time program will help in the safe removal of lead hazards from homes, including family childcare settings. Participation in this program is entirely voluntary and free of charge to homeowners and landlords. The Connecticut Department of Public Health is partnering with the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center to administer the program.

To view eligibility details and apply, visit leadfreect.org. This is a limited-time program, so those who are interested are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

“Every year, more than 1,000 Connecticut children are impacted by lead,” Governor Lamont said. “Lead poisoning can affect our children by causing health and brain changes that may impact them through school years and beyond – causing behavior problems, poor performance, and a risk of long-term, negative impacts. Based on the data of children tested in Connecticut, where blood lead levels trigger the requirement for environmental testing of the home, lead-based paint and lead dust in pre-1978 homes are the largest contributors to childhood lead exposure in homes.”

“Harmful lead exposure should not happen to any child,” Connecticut Public Health Commissioner Manisha Juthani, MD, said. “It is 100% preventable. The Department of Public Health is investing in our communities so that every child can grow up safe from lead. Children under age six, and especially those aged one to three, are most vulnerable to lead exposure. In Connecticut, children of color and children from neighborhoods with high poverty rates are disproportionately impacted by these risks.”

“Connecticut has many beautiful houses, many of which were built prior to 1978,” Connecticut Public Health Deputy Commissioner Lisa Morrissey, MPH, said. “In these homes, windows, doors, walls, baseboards and railings were coated with lead-based paint. This is a unique opportunity to remove lead hazards before a child is exposed at home or in a childcare setting. The funding will ensure that children can grow up in a lead safe environment.”

“I am thrilled that we are partnering with the Connecticut Department of Public Health to help keep our children safe from lead exposure,” Jim Shmerling, DHA, FACHE, president and chief executive officer of Connecticut Children’s, said. “This initiative allows Connecticut residents to make their older homes lead safe. It’s a big step forward in protecting our kids and ensuring safe, stable homes for all families in our communities.”

“This $20 million initiative will ensure that more Connecticut families are growing, playing, and learning in safe, lead-free homes,” U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal said. “Lead poisoning can cause devastating and irreversible damage, especially to children, and I am thrilled to see federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars being used to tackle this critical health hazard. I applaud Governor Lamont and Commissioner Juthani for championing this program and making a real difference in the lives and health of Connecticut families.”

“We passed the American Rescue Plan in Congress to ensure states and communities had the resources they needed to recover from the pandemic and bolster public health,” U.S. Congressman John B. Larson (CT-01) said. “Lead is far too commonly found in historic New England homes, leaving Connecticut’s children especially vulnerable to lead poisoning. I applaud Governor Lamont, the Connecticut Department of Public Health, and Connecticut Children’s for using this funding to assist homeowners with the removal of dangerous lead paint and take on the challenge of protecting our kids from lead poisoning and other dangerous toxins.”

“I applaud Governor Lamont’s efforts to rid Connecticut of harmful contaminants and mitigate fears of lead poisoning for children,” U.S. Congressman Jim Himes (CT-04) said. “I am especially heartened that federal dollars provided by the American Rescue Plan Act will help state officials deliver this smart, comprehensive solution for Connecticut’s families.”

The Connecticut Department of Public Health plans for subsequent phases of the Lead Free CT campaign to include community engagement for lead service line replacement and testing drinking water for lead at daycares and schools.

For more information, visit leadfreect.org.

Hurricane Season: It’s Never Too Early to Be Prepared

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storm damage

It’s June, the days are long and sunny, and thoughts of tropical storms are probably far from your mind. But here in Southeastern Connecticut, hurricane season officially began on June 1st. While major hurricanes are rare in our region, we can still experience the effects of these powerful storms later in the season, typically between August and late September.

Governor Ned Lamont recently emphasized the importance of being proactive in a press release, urging residents to take steps now to ensure their safety and well-being in the event of a hurricane.

“It’s never too early to make sure you and your family are prepared for natural disasters, especially hurricanes,” Governor Lamont said. “Hurricane season is part of our reality in Connecticut, and we’re doing everything we can to make preparations and ensure our residents stay safe, including reminding everyone about the steps they can take to protect themselves, such as making an emergency plan and pulling together emergency kits. A few small steps like these can go a long way and save you time in the event that you need to act quickly.”

Here are some key ways to be prepared for a potential hurricane:

  • Build an Emergency Kit: Stock up on non-perishable food, bottled water (at least one gallon per person per day for three days), a first-aid kit, medications, flashlights, batteries, a battery-powered radio, and a whistle (for signaling for help). Don’t forget to include items for specific needs, like baby supplies or pet food.
  • Power Outage Plan: Charge all portable electronics beforehand. Consider investing in a solar phone charger or a hand-crank radio for extended outages. Flashlights are essential, but headlamps can be even more helpful, keeping your hands free.
  • Water Safety: Hurricanes often bring heavy rain and flooding. Fill a bathtub with clean water for sanitation purposes in case the water supply is compromised.
  • Flood Preparedness: If you live in a low-lying area, consider having sandbags on hand to help prevent floodwaters from entering your home.
  • Secure Your Property: Trim branches from trees around your home to minimize wind damage. Board up windows if necessary. Bring in outdoor furniture and decorations that could become projectiles in high winds.

Stay Informed

Download the CT Prepares app for real-time weather alerts and emergency information.

Preparation is key

 Taking steps now can help ensure your family’s safety and peace of mind throughout the hurricane season.