Connecticut Officials Planning Emergency Drill

Connecticut officials are planning an emergency preparedness drill to try to improve communication between utility companies and state and local governments.

The four-day, statewide exercise begins Saturday and is designed to simulate an emergency resulting from a Category 3 hurricane.

Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman said Tuesday that the goal is to spare residents the frustration they endured during the prolonged power outages following a snow storm last October.

The exercise is coordinated by the state's Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security. Municipalities that have volunteered to take part are receiving $1,200 toward the local costs from a federal grant.

Other participants include power companies, phone utilities, tribal nations and representatives of the private sector.

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