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09/03/2010 12:00 AMThere will be some changes in normal operations due to weather conditions expected to affect Connecticut—specifically the Shoreline—as a result of hurricane Earl.
In addition to most area schools closing early today, the Chester/Hadlyme Ferry is now closed until further notice.
The Town of Madison will be closing its three Town beaches: The Surf Club, East Wharf, and West Wharf to all at noon today due to the expected high wind and surf conditions.
Governor M. Jodi Rell also announced today that "seven state park campgrounds in southeastern Connecticut will close at noon today until noon Saturday to protect campers from strong winds and heavy rains expected from hurricane Earl."
"We know that many families are looking forward to marking the end of summer by camping at one of our state parks over the Labor Day weekend," Rell said. "Given the latest information available on the predicted path and intensity of this storm, however, we believe it makes sense to close the campgrounds where the impact from hurricane Earl is expected to be the most severe."
Rell said the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has asked all campers to leave the seven affected campgrounds this morning. DEP plans to allow campers back to the parks by Saturday afternoon unless the impact of the storm or weather conditions require a longer closing.
The campgrounds to be closed are:
• Hammonasset Beach State Park, Madison
• Rocky Neck State Park, East Lyme
• Hopeville Pond State Park, Jewett City
• Devil's Hopyard State Park, East Haddam
• Salt Rock Campground, Sprague
• Mount Misery Campground, Pachaug State Forest, Voluntown
• Green Falls Campground, Pachaug State Forest, Voluntown
DEP is working with the company that manages its campground reservation system, Reserve America, to provide a refund for all campers who had reservations for tonight night at one of these seven parks.
Updated information on state park and state park campground closings can be found on the DEP website at www.ct.gov/dep.