Overnight Car Accident Involves Tractor Trailer on I-95 Northbound
A motor vehicle accident on I-95 was reported around 10:45 this evening, pulling both Fairfield and Westport first responders to the northbound scene 1/2 mile prior to Exit 19. Initial reports described a vehicle and a tractor trailer were involved. No word on injuries or what caused the accident.
Norwalk Car Fire Slows Merritt Parkway Southbound
A car fire on Route 15 Southbound near Exit 38 slowed traffic this afternoon, just after 3:00 PM. Passersby said everyone in the vehicle were able to escape prior to the fire starting. Meghan Lally for The Westport Local Press.
Car Accident Closes Maple Avenue South
Westport first responders were on scene at a car accident this afternoon on Maple Avenue South, between Clapboard Hill Road and Whitehead Terrace. Reports came in as a motor vehicle into a pole, with the power pole snapped. No word on any injuries. Eversource could be seen arriving on scene a short time later.
Gas Leak Closes Hillspoint Road; Second Time in Exactly 1 Month
According to the Westport Police Department, a gas leak was reported on Hillspoint Road late this morning - closing the roadway between 134 and 163 Hillspoint Road. Exactly one month ago, another gas leak closed Hillspoint Road at all points that went along the Coast. No word on what caused the leak.
Sunday Night Car Accident Injures Several on I-95
A car accident was reported just after 9:30 PM Sunday night on I-95 in the area of the Exit 17 Northbound ramp, requiring both Norwalk and Westport First Responders, as well as Connecticut State Police, to respond. The accident appeared to involve multiple vehicles, with multiple injuries reported at the scene. No word on the extent of any injuries or on what may have caused the accident. Northbound traffic was slowed as lanes were closed while the accident scene was active. Photo from I-95 prior to the exit 17 off-ramp, northbound.
Update: State Police Announce Saturday Morning’s Pedestrian Struck was Helping Others
According to the Connecticut Post, the Connecticut State Police announced that the person struck by a motor vehicle on I-95 after midnight on Saturday was attempting to aid another vehicle which was involved in an accident.
The victim, reportedly a 45 year old man from Whitestone, New York, was “transferred to Norwalk Hospital with minor injuries” following the strike. The Connecticut Post continued to say that he was subsequently given a verbal warning by State Police for “alleged ‘reckless use of the highway by a pedestrian,’ according to state police.”
Pedestrian Struck on I-95 in Westport Overnight
According to radio reports, a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle on I-95 in the southbound lanes just after midnight. Reports from the scene said the patient was classified as a trauma alert. No word on the patient’s condition or what may have caused the accident.
Breaking: Car Accident Ties Up Traffic on I-95 Southbound
CT DOT Traffic Camera.
A multi vehicle car accident was reported just after 9:00 PM tonight on I-95 Southbound between exits 17 and 18. The right and center lanes are both shut down. No word on injuries.
Full Report: High Wind Warning, Flood Watch
High Wind Warning: Effective 6:00 PM Thursday - 10:00 AM Friday. High Winds Expected.
"South winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 65 mph expected."
Flood Watch: Effective Thursday Evening - Friday Evening. Coastal Flooding Expected.
“Rain will become heavy at times Thursday night, before ending from west to east on Friday. Total rainfall of 2 to 4 inches may result in areas of flooding.”
The Editor’s Take
The National Weather Service, New York City forecasts heavy wind and rain beginning later this evening and strengthening through the overnight hours. Temperatures will be unseasonably warm, nearing 55 degrees, both today and tomorrow - but will plummet nearly 30 degrees to a low of 23 degrees by Friday night. Christmas Eve plans should be made with these forecasts in mind, as driving may become dangerous due to falling trees, flooding, and low visibility. Road closures or dangerous weather may make returning home difficult late in the evening. All plans should consider COVID-19 safety guidelines.
Sustained winds are forecasted to sit around 10 MPH throughout the day today, and will begin to pick-up around sunset tonight - climbing to about 30 MPH around midnight, and then falling to about 20 MPH by daybreak. The opportunity for wind gusts will begin around 8:00 PM tonight and end around 9:00 AM tomorrow morning, with the strongest wind gusts nearing 60 MPH forecasted between 3:00 AM and 6:00 AM tomorrow morning.
30% - 50% chances of rain begins this morning, with 80%-100% chances of rain coming after 8:00 PM tonight, and most of the rain moving out of the area by noon tomorrow. The overnight rains are what have the community the most concerned, as the expected downpours may dump several inches of rain onto the area before the sun rises on Christmas Morning. With a quick moving cold front, there’s a slight chance of snow showers before midnight Friday.
Flooding is expected, as the frozen ground will give rain water less space to soak into, leading it into low-lying areas, garages, or basements. Roadways and underpasses may become flooded during heavy periods of rain, as well as creeks, rivers, ponds, and other bodies of water. Heavy winds may cause damage to trees, powerlines, or unsecured decorations and outdoor furniture. 3ft-6ft seas are expected for the western portion of the Long Island Sound.
Residents are reminded to stay off of the roads, stay indoors and away from windows, 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. 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.
The North Pole has been alerted to the incoming storm, and stated that Santa Claus and his team have weathered “thousands of years of bad weather” - although reports claim that Rudolph may be dispatched to Fairfield County to assure all deliveries are made without delay.
Numbers to Know:
Santa Claus, North Pole Direct Line: 1-319-527-2680
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
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