State law gives property owners leeway in property protection against hurricanes [New London Day]

Article as it appeared in the New London Day

As Hurricane Joaquin made landfall in the Bahamas Thursday, it is still unclear whether the storm will make its way to Connecticut.

But if Joaquin does touch down on the shoreline, a state law passed two years ago gives more flexibility to homeowners to protect their property in the event of a tropical storm or hurricane.

State Sen. Paul Formica, R-East Lyme is reminding people of a law that gives property owners the right to protect their property in any way they deem necessary without a permit, for a period of 24 hours prior to the storm.

Artificial structures and protections just have to be taken down 48 hours after it is deemed practical to do so.

This new right extends to all “inhabited” structures on the property, including detached garages and pools.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center’s long-term forecast showed the storm could near the U.S. East Coast along North Carolina and Virginia on Sunday.