Ledyard Prepares For Irene

Hurricane Irene is spinning toward Connecticut, carrying the threat of torrential rain and strong winds, and Ledyard’s business owners, farmers, and services are getting ready.

At the Gales Ferry Marina, there is little fear of damage. “This cove has weathered tons of hurricanes, and it’s very sheltered in here,” said one of its owners, Lucille Lupinacci. “But it all depends.”

The hurricane’s storm surge is the biggest threat to the boats. At the shoreline, the surge could reach up to 12 feet. However, the marina, nestled upriver in Clark’s cove, should see much less. “I don’t think by the time it gets up here it’ll be that bad,” Lupinacci said.

Nevertheless, measures are being taken to protect the boats and docks. “The boaters have strapped their boats down… checked their batteries, checked their bilge-pumps,” Lupinacci said. The boats left in the water have been tied twice to the docks. The marina’s staff has likewise doubly secured the docks.

Other boats have been hauled out of the water. Some owners have removed their crafts from the marina altogether.

Lupinacci said plans also are under way for a Hurricane Party on Sunday. During the storm, owners will enjoy grinders while they keep an eye on their boats.

Farms at risk

For other businesses, the storm causes more concern.  Peter Bargmann, owner of Alice Acres and Cows & Cones, is working to secure the farm. “My whole place is a concern,” he said.

Many structures need to be tied down to keep from being blown away, including the greenhouses and pavilion. Benches and picnic tables will be lashed together. The cow shed, open to the direction of the hurricane’s winds, is at risk.

Another fear is that falling trees may break fences, freeing the farm’s livestock. Bargmann says he has chainsaws and materials for repairs at the ready.

His biggest concern, however, is for his plants. “I’ve got 5,000 mums that are waiting to be sold, and I can guarantee you if this storm hits, they’ll be all over the place,” he said. “It was such a rough May with all the rain we had. Now we’re going to have a hurricane, and that’ll ruin my fall season. That’s farming. There’s always next year, though.”

In addition to troubling businesses, Irene may cause concern for the whole town. According to Sean McGuckin, Ledyard’s Emergency Management Director, the hurricane may pose difficulties for Ledyard’s emergency response services. These services include police, fire fighters, ambulances, and Ledyard’s Visiting Nurses.

“The main concern for a storm like this is the wind and the rain.” If these conditions become dangerous, they may prevent help from reaching those who need it.

This could be an issue for a few hours at the height of the storm, McGuckin said. If the storm stays far enough to the west, it may not happen at all. “If there’s one thing we’re fortunate about, it’s that this end of the state is going to be on the fringe of the storm," he said.

Volunteers have been asked to keep the fire stations well staffed. An ambulance has been moved from Ledyard Center into Gales Ferry.