Winter Storm Elliott is expected to bring soaking rain, widespread power outages and dangerous travel conditions over the next few days.

Heavy rainfall is expected to begin mid-afternoon today and continue through mid-day Friday, December 23.  2-3 inches of rain are expected, and winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph.

A sharp drop in temperature is expected as the storm moves out of the area, which may cause icing and difficult travel conditions. Temperatures throughout the state are forecasted to reach lows in the single digits with possible below-zero wind chills over the weekend. 

Governor Ned Lamont has activated the state’s severe cold weather protocol beginning at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, December 23, 2022, and remaining in effect through 12:00 p.m. on Monday, December 26, 2022.

Warming shelters will be available at the following locations throughout Bristol: 

Agape House: 43 School Street

Saturday, December 24, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Sunday, December 25 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Brian’s Angels:  99 Summer Street, entrance is in the rear off of Center Street

Saturday, December 24 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Sunday, December 25th 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Bristol Public Library: 5 High Street

Friday, December 23rd 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 pm

Saturday, December 24th 8:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

If Bristol’s overnight shelter at St. Vincent DePaul, located at 19 Jacobs Street, is at capacity, those in need should dial 2-1- 1, press option 5 and a contact specialist will direct them to other shelters and/or warming stations in surrounding communities. 

Eversource has declared an emergency response level five, meaning up to 125,000 outages could occur in Connecticut. The utility company stated that the combination of soaking rain and heavy winds may easily bring down tree limbs and full trees onto power lines and equipment causing outages. 

Eversource is bringing in workers from other states in preparation for the storm and will have 300 line crews across the state.

To report a power outage, contact Eversource by phone, 800-286-2000, or online at eversource.com.