Torrington, CT Emergency Management

09/01/2026

TORRINGTON EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PREPAREDNESS EXERCISE

This morning, Torrington Emergency Management participated in the annual statewide EPPI (Emergency Planning and Preparedness Initiative) preparedness exercise simulating a significant severe weather event affecting communities across Connecticut and specifically Torrington.

The exercise was designed to challenge emergency management officials, the mayor's office, city department heads, utility companies, the American Red Cross, Charlotte Hungerford Hospital, the board of education, and other community partners to respond to simulated conditions that may include severe weather and flooding, hazardous travel, widespread power and communications outages, downed trees and debris, infrastructure damage, evacuations, emergency sheltering, public health needs, emergency alerts and warnings, resource requests, and community damage assessments.

The exercise tested coordination among the various city departments, utilities, the state of Connecticut DEMHS (Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security) and state DEMHS Regional Offices as well as other participants and the State Emergency Operations Center.

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

We cannot wait until disaster strikes to determine how well our plans work.

Exercises like this allow us to test emergency plans, strengthen communication, identify potential challenges, and practice coordinating the people and resources that would be needed during a real emergency such as our recent July 4th storm. These exercises help the city to better respond to the next emergency when it happens.

When severe weather strikes, preparedness and strong partnerships can make a significant difference in protecting lives, property, and our community.

Torrington Emergency Management remains committed to preparing today so that we are ready when our community needs us most.

Residents are encouraged to sign up for Torrington Alerts, so that you can receive vital real-time information for storm related activity and preparedness.

Be Prepared. Stay Informed. Stay Safe.
~Bill Baldwin, EMD

07/21/2026

07/20/2026

07/15/2026

As the city of Torrington continues to recover from the aftermath of the July 4th storms, attached are some resources for people who were affected by the storm.

07/14/2026

Governor Lamont has activated the Hot Weather Protocol from Tuesday, July 14, starting at 1100AM, thru Thursday July 16, ending at 5PM. The Torrington City Hall Auditorium located on the 2nd floor, will be open as a cooling center during normal city hall business hours.

07/08/2026

Public Safety Message: Beware of Storm Cleanup Scams

As our community recovers from recent storms, residents are reminded to remain alert for individuals and companies attempting to take advantage of homeowners through storm-related cleanup scams.

While many contractors are honest professionals, scammers often appear shortly after severe weather, offering quick repairs, tree removal, roof work, or debris cleanup. They may pressure you to make an immediate decision, demand payment upfront, or claim they have "extra materials" left over from another job.

Before hiring anyone:

* Verify that the contractor is properly licensed and insured.
* Request a written estimate and contract before any work begins.
* Be cautious of anyone who insists on cash payments or asks for full payment in advance. Never make any cash payments upfront.
* Never feel pressured to make an immediate decision.
* Check references and read reviews from previous customers.
* If the work is covered by insurance, contact your insurance company before authorizing repairs.

Be especially cautious of unsolicited door-to-door offers following a storm. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

If you believe you have been targeted by a scam or have concerns about a contractor, report the incident to your local police department and the appropriate consumer protection agency.

Also, as you deal with storm related cleanup and any damages inflicted by the storm, be sure to document all of your efforts. Photos, estimates, receipts. Do not be quick to settle with your insurance company or be pressured by an adjuster to settle any claims. Be sure to review your insurance policy to determine what is covered and what is not.

Working together, we can protect our neighbors and ensure our community recovers safely. Stay informed, stay vigilant, and help spread the word to friends, family, and especially older adults who may be more vulnerable to these scams.

07/05/2026

The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for the entire state beginning today and continuing into early Tuesday afternoon. Torrington residents are to be aware of the potential for flooding. Preventative measures, such as catch basin/drain clearing can be done to help divert water from heavy rainfall. The Torrington Public Works Dept. has done significant basin cleaning today in preparation for the forecasted rainfall. Persons living near streams should monitor water levels. The Torrington Fire Department is ready to assist with flooding related calls such as flooded basements, in emergency situations. Sump pumps should also be inspected for proper operation. Eversource continues to address power outages in our area. People are reminded to avoid driving over flooded roadways which can leave you stranded. People facing emergencies should call 9-1-1 for help.

07/05/2026

The City of Torrington continues to address the recent weather-related event that affected our area during yesterday's early evening storms that came through our town. Emergency crews continue to respond to calls for service. At this time there are approximately 30 blocked roads in the city, mainly in the north and east end of town. Town crews continue to work with Eversource to restore power to those affected. As of this post, the Eversource Power outage Map indicates 4136 residents affected by loss of power, representing 21.85% of the city. Mayor Molly Spino and the current Acting Mayor, Anne Ruwett have issued a local state of emergency declaration to help address issues so that the city can respond to storm related events. (Declaration Attached). Fortunately, many of the main power lines into the city were not affected. Power lines for side streets are the most affected due to significant tree limb damage. Residents are reminded: TREAT ALL DOWNED POWER LINES AS IF THEY WERE LIVE. Ensure that generators that are being used are equipped with the proper hookup to prevent electric currant back feed into the power lines. While it is understandable that many affected residents will become frustrated with power restoration, know that Eversource crews are working as quickly as they safely can to restore power. Torrington Street Department crews will be working in conjunction with Eversource crews to initially open up roadways. Connecting service lines to homes may be delayed while Eversource works to deal with making power lines safe to open roads and ensuring that priority public safety entities are brought online first. People requiring first aid are encouraged to call 9-1-1.
City residents are also asked to prepare for significant rainfall that is forecast over the next few days. A flood watch has been issued for our area through Tuesday 7/7/26. Initial indications by the national weather service related to yesterday's wind damage indicate that the damage inflicted by the storm was a result of micro-bursts/straight line winds and not a tornado at this time. The National Weather Service will continue to study the event. People with specific needs are asked to contact emergency services for help and/or needed direction.

CITY OF TORRINGTON, CONNECTICUT
DECLARATION OF LOCAL STATE OF EMERGENCY
Issued by:
Mayor Molly E Spino
Mayor, City of Torrington
and
Acting Mayor Anne L. Ruwet
City of Torrington
Date: July 5th, 2026
DECLARATION:
WHEREAS, the mayor is the duly elected Chief Executive Officer of the City of Torrington, and the Acting Mayor is authorized to exercise the powers and duties of the Mayor as provided by the City Charter when acting in that capacity; and
WHEREAS, Chapter 517 of the Connecticut General Statutes, including but not limited to Sections 28-1, 28-7, 28-8a, 28-9, and 28-22a, authorizes municipalities to prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies and author and authorizes the Chief Executive Officer of a municipality to declare a local civil preparedness emergency when conditions warrant; and
WHEREAS, actual or imminent conditions exist within the City of Torrington that threaten life, public health, public safety, public property, municipal infrastructure, critical facilities, public utilities, transportation systems, communication systems, and the orderly operation of local government; and
WHEREAS, these conditions require the immediate coordination and deployment of municipal personnel, equipment, emergency services, and resources beyond those utilized during normal governmental operations; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to activate all available emergency management resources and to preserve public peace, health, safety, and welfare of the residents of the City of Torrington.

NOW, THEREFORE,
We, Mayor Molly E Spino and Acting Mayor Anne L. Ruwet, by virtue of the authority vested in the Office of the Mayor under Chapter 517 of the Connecticut General Statutes, including but not limited to sections 28-7, 28-8a, 28-9, and 28-22a, do hereby declare that a LOCAL STATE OF EMERGENCY exists within the city of Torrington.
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED:
1. The City of Torrington Emergency Operations Plan is hereby activated
2. All city departments, officials, emergency responders, volunteers, and employees are directed to take all actions necessary to protect life, property, critical infrastructure, and the continuity of essential government operations.
3. The Emergency Management Director shall coordinate emergency response activities with the Connecticut division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS), the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP ), the Northwest Hills Regional Emergency Management Office, neighboring municipalities, utility providers, and all other appropriate agencies.
4. The City is authorized to utilize all available municipal personnel, vehicles, equipment, facilities, supplies, and financial resources reasonably necessary to respond to this emergency.
5. Mutual aid is authorized to be requested and provided pursuant to applicable Connecticut law, existing mutual aid agreements, and regional emergency management procedures.
6. Emergency procurements of goods, services, equipment, materials, and contractors necessary to protect public health and safety is authorized, consistent with applicable Connecticut law and the City Charter, with appropriate documentation maintained for all emergency expenditures.
7. All City departments shall maintain complete records of emergency expenditures, personnel hours, equipment usage, contracts, and disaster related costs to facilitate reimbursement through any available state or federal emergency assistance programs.
8. The Mayor or Acting Mayor may issue such additional emergency orders as are necessary to preserve public health, safety and welfare during the duration of this Declaration

DURATION
This declaration shall take effect immediately upon ex*****on and shall remain in effect until terminated in writing by the Mayor or Acting Mayor or as otherwise provided by law.
This declaration shall be filed with the Torrington City Clerk, transmitted to the Connecticut Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS) the Northwest Hills Regional Emergency Management Office, the Torrington City Council, and such other agencies as appropriate.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF,
We have here unto set our hands on this fifth day of July, 2026
CITY OF TORRINGTON
Molly E. Spino
Mayor

Anne L. Ruwet 7/5/26 9:43 a.m.
Acting Mayor