'This Is A Pretty Nasty Storm:' Malloy Urges Conn. Residents To Stay Off Roads

HARTFORD, Conn. (CBSNewYork/AP) --  Officials say Connecticut could face up to 18 inches of snow Thursday, as a fast-moving storm sweeps through the area.

The National Weather Services issued a winter storm warning from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday.

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Gov. Dannel P. Malloy is asking all non-essential first- and second-shift employees to stay home Thursday due to the storm. The the state's emergency operations center was activated at 5 a.m. to continue coordinating the state's response.

"The state EOC continues to monitor conditions across the state, however we expect operations to begin winding down as of 5 p.m.," he said at a 4 p.m. press conference.

Malloy said all highways remained open, but that could change. State police responded to more than 200 calls including about 30 accidents. No serious injuries were reported.

"This is a pretty nasty storm, but is not a storm that's anticipated to deliver 30 inches or more to the state of Connecticut," Malloy said. "We're doing our best to stay on top of it and that's what we'll do."

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Meteorologists say snowfall rates of two to even four inches per hour will be possible at times, with eastern areas of the state to get heavier snow at times.

Gov. Malloy said there are 700 guardsmen and women ready to respond and over 800 trucks available through the Department of Transportation.

Malloy is urging all residents to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary.

Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin has announced that city hall will be closed Thursday due to heavy snowfall and will reopen Friday.

Most flights in and out of Bradley International Airport were canceled. Delays of up to 25 minutes were reported on Metro-North's New Haven Line rail service.

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