Full Report: Winter Storm Warning, Gale Warning, Coastal Flood Advisory
Graphic from the National Weather Service, New York City.
Winter Storm Warning: Effective 2:00 PM Wednesday - 1:00 PM Thursday. Heavy Snow Expected.
“.Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 12 to 16 inches. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph along the coast.”
“Travel could be very difficult to impossible. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening commute. Gusty winds and heavy wet snow could bring down scattered to numerous tree branches along the coast.”
Gale Warning: Effective 4:00 PM Wednesday - 6:00 AM Thursday. High Winds Expected.
“Northeast winds 20 to 30 kt with gusts up to 40 kt and seas 3 to 6 feet expected, except 2 to 4 feet in the harbor.”
Coastal Flood Advisory: Effective 11:00 PM Wednesday - 2:00 AM Thursday. Coastal Flooding Expected.
“Expect 1 to locally 2 feet of inundation above ground level in low lying, vulnerable areas. Some roads and low lying property including parking lots, parks, lawns and homes/businesses with basements near the waterfront will experience shallow flooding.”
The Editor’s Take
Meteorologists are predicting that the winter weather will begin in Westport sometime in the late-afternoon to early-evening hours today, and that it will continue through the night until around noon Thursday. By this time tomorrow, our community may be covered in over one foot of snow, and could experience power outages, coastal flooding, and a significant negative impact to roadways and highways. Westport and other coastal communities may bear the brunt of this storm, according to the NWS. Snow totals are being forecasted as no less than 8 inches, with the possibility to reach towards 18 inches, depending on sleet versus snow accumulations.
It appears that the storm’s peak will be during the overnight hours. During this time period, we’ll see the strongest wind gusts, coastal flooding with midnight’s high-tide, and snow accumulations of 1-3 inch per hour with possible blizzard conditions.
Residents are reminded to stay off of the roads, make sure all electronics are fully charged (including flashlights and phones), assure sump pumps are in working order, check that any loose outdoor decoration or furniture is secured, and prepare to keep doorways into homes clear of snow in case of emergencies. Residents should check on elderly or immobile neighbors for all of the above while remaining socially distant. Residents should also assure their phones are registered to receive emergency text or phone messages from the Town of Westport by texting “06880” to 888777, or by visiting the website: Town of Westport Emergency Notifications.
Children are reminded to make sure that their favorite movies are downloaded onto their tablets, snow gear still fits from last season, snow sleds are cleaned off, and that they have nothing left in their “to-do” column on Google Classroom.
Numbers to Know:
Emergency: 911
Eversource: Report a power outage: text “OUT” to 23129; call 800-286-2000; online www.eversource.com/CustomerCare/ReportOutage.
Westport Police: Non-Emergency: 203-341-6000
Westport Fire Department: Non-Emergency: 203-341-5000
Westport Public Schools: Emergency Line: 203-341-1766
Westport Department of Human Services: Social Services: 203-341-1050
All Clear after Kings Highway Elementary School Evacuation
At around 1:45 this afternoon, the Westport Fire Department, Westport Police Department, and Southern Connecticut Gas Company were dispatched to Kings Highway Elementary School for the possible gas leak, with an odor of gas in the school. All students and staff were evacuated to the surrounding sports fields while firefighters inspected the building.
The all-clear was given about 15 minutes later, allowing the building to be re-occupied to continue with the afternoon school day. No illnesses were reported, no word on what caused the reported odor.
A Westport Fire Department Engine remains on Burr Road as firefighters inspect the building for any apparent issues.
Firefighters inspect Kings Highway Elementary School afters it evacuation due to the odor of gas in the school.
Ice on Roadways Reported throughout Town
Many local roads turned to ice overnight when temperatures dropped below freezing. The residual moisture from yesterday’s rain, sleet, and snow were to blame for the hazardous road conditions. Both the State Department of Transportation and Westport Department of Public Works deployed salters and sanders to local roadways and highways in anticipation of the morning commute. The forecasted sunshine with temperatures expected to reach into the upper 30s will make today seasonably enjoyable ahead of tomorrow’s winter weather.
One Arrested for DUI after Main Street Crash
The Westport Local Press reported on a Saturday evening car accident involving multiple vehicles on Main Street. The Westport Police Department announced today the arrest of the driver responsible, 25 year old Max Popovich of Redding, for Operating under the Influence of Drugs/Alcohol. Click here to view original report.
“On Saturday December 12, 2020 at approximately 5:46pm, officers responded to the
area of 170 Main Street on a report of a motor vehicle accident. No injuries were reported.
Upon arrival, it was determined that a parked and unoccupied vehicle had been struck by
another vehicle that had been traveling southbound on Main Street, pushing it into and
damaging a third parked and unoccupied vehicle. The operator was identified as Max Popovich.
In speaking with Popovich, officers noted that he exhibited multiple physical clues consistent
with being under the influence of alcohol. Standardized field sobriety tests were administered
on scene and reportedly not performed to standard. Popovich was ultimately taken into
custody based on the suspicion of driving under the influence.
At police headquarters, Popovich submitted to chemical breath testing and was
determined to have a blood alcohol content above the legal limit. He was charged with 14-
227a, Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol/Drugs. Bond was set at $500.00. He was able
to post this bond and was released. He is scheduled to be arraigned at Norwalk Superior Court
on the morning of Friday January 29, 2021.” (Westport Police Department)