Governor Lamont Declares State of Emergency Ahead of Storm Henri; 200 National Guard Activated
Office of Governor Ned LamontGovernor Ned Lamont today announced that as Tropical Storm Henri is projected to move toward Connecticut in the coming days and strengthen to a hurricane before making landfall, he will be requesting a presidential pre-landfall emergency declaration to provide the state with federal assistance in anticipation of the impacts of the storm. Additionally, the governor will be issuing a declaration of civil preparedness emergency to enable the state to take any actions necessary to protect the health and wellbeing of the people of Connecticut.
The governor has directed the Connecticut State Emergency Operations Center to become partially activated on Saturday, August 21, and fully activated by the morning of Sunday, August 22. It will be staffed by representatives of the relevant state agencies, in addition to utility company representatives, in order to monitor and manage any issues that may arise as a result of the storm.
At the order of Governor Lamont, Major General Francis Evon, Adjutant General and Commander of the Connecticut National Guard, is calling 200 Guardsmen and women to state active duty beginning on Saturday morning to prepare teams and specialized equipment in support of the state’s response. Expected missions include high-wheeled vehicle search and rescue, route clearance, power generation, and commodities distribution, but may shift depending on the actual impact of the storm.
Earlier today, Governor Lamont spoke via telephone with Deanne Criswell, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and Paul Ford, FEMA’s acting regional administrator for New England, to discuss preparedness efforts. The federal officials pledged assistance and resources to support Connecticut’s response and anticipated recovery from the storm.
This afternoon, Governor Lamont organized a statewide conference call between state emergency management officials and municipal representatives to coordinate preparedness activities among the state and local levels.
Current forecasts project that the storm will become a Category 1 hurricane on Saturday morning, and then make landfall on Sunday evening near the area of Stonington, Connecticut, along the Rhode Island border. As of this afternoon, the National Weather Service has issued hurricane watches for New London, Middlesex, and New Haven Counties. A tropical storm watch has been issued for Fairfield County. Additional watches and warnings are anticipated.
“With the current forecasted track of Henri, we can expect heavy rainfall and high winds, with the potential for a significant amount of coastal flooding and urban flooding across Connecticut,” Governor Lamont said. “Right now, it’s a good idea for everyone to be prepared and expect to shelter in place by Sunday afternoon through at least Monday morning. We’ll continue to monitor the storm’s progress and will provide updates as necessary.”
“We’ve learned from Super Storm Sandy and Hurricane Irene that preparation at staging areas ahead of the storm making landfall is key to a quick and effective response,” Major General Evon said. “We are standing by to support the state and the lead agencies however we can and we will be prepared to bring in additional Guardsmen and resources if asked to do so.”
The following list includes some hurricane preparedness tips:
Recommended items to include in a basic emergency supply kit
One gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
At least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
Flashlight and extra batteries
First aid kit
A whistle to signal for help
Garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
A manual can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
Local maps
Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger
Food and litter requirements for any pets
Medicine or any special need items, including diapers for infants
Cleaning supplies that disinfect for COVID-19 and face masks should they be needed at a shelter
Family emergency plan
Be sure you and family members are aware of local shelter locations and your evacuation zone, especially if you live along the shoreline.
Identify an out-of-town contact. It may be easier to make a long-distance phone call than to call across town, so an out-of-town contact may be in a better position to communicate among separated family members.
Be sure every member of your family knows the phone number and has a cell phone, coins, or a prepaid phone card to call the emergency contact.
Plan ahead and pre-set a family group text conversation in your phones. Text messages can often get around network disruptions when a phone call might not be able to get through, and it uses less battery life.
Subscribe to alert services through CTAlert. Go to www.ct.gov/ctalert to register.
Connecticut residents are encouraged to download the state’s CTPrepares app for mobile devices. The app, which can be downloaded at no charge from the Apple iTunes store and the Google Play store, provides information that is useful in emergency situations and gives preparedness tips in advance of an emergency.
Full Report: Henri Likely to be a Cat. 1 Hurricane on Arrival to Connecticut; Hurricane Watch Issued for NE Connecticut Counties
Editor’s Take
Tropical Storm Henri will reach the area sometime late tomorrow, with heaviest effects forecast to arrive early Sunday morning. The National Weather Service, NYC office has described the storm as becoming more problematic, saying “Confidence is increasing in potential for major inundation across portions of Eastern LI and along Long Island Sound.” Although the brunt of the storm is set to arrive early Sunday, they have stated that the region should prepare for as early as tomorrow night. Confidence is high that the current tropical storm will be upgraded to a Category 1 Hurricane by the time it makes landfall in the region, with a Hurricane Watch already issued for Northern Middlesex, Northern New Haven, and Northern New London counties.
Rainfall chances are also forecast to also begin later Saturday, with chances of rain continuing through early Monday and the heaviest bands arriving Sunday morning - with 2”-4” possibly falling.
Winds are forecast to be strongest on Sunday, but could arrive “as early as Saturday night.” There are 50-80% chances of 40MPH sustained winds (tropical storm force), 33% chances of 60MPH sustained winds, and 10%-20% chances of 74MPH sustained winds (hurricane force). The NWS described that the chances of hurricane force winds in Southeastern Connecticut are increasing, and that “even low probabilities of hurricane winds are significant for this area.”
Flooding will prove problematic with a 2-4 foot storm surge forecast for the region, especially during high tides that will take place around midnight and noon on Sunday. Sunday’s midnight high tide also coincides with a full moon, making it a 7.7’ tide.
Click here to expand full storm report.
Residents are urged to stay off of the roadways for the Sunday morning hours, keep devices charged with batteries nearby, and to assure that all outdoor furniture and decorations are properly secured.
Boat owners are urged to check that all Bimini and fabric tops are closed and secured, all deck items - pillows, PFDs, or other items - are stowed away, and that bilge pumps are working with adequately charged batteries or shorelines. With forecasts predicting 2”-4” of rain in a short amount of time, bilge pumps will be running more than usual -causing boat batteries to die, shutting down the pumps, and putting boats at risk of flooding. Checking on your vessel before and after the storm will prove important.
Local Closures and Cancellations:
Active Weather Warnings, Advisories, and Watches:
Tropical Storm Watch: Effective until further notice
Storm Surge Watch: Effective until further notice
From the National Weather Service, NYC: Tropical Storm Henri is currently due east of the South Carolina coastline and will likely track north nearing eastern Long Island and into southern New England Sunday as a Category 1 Hurricane.
The main threats from Henri are potentially life-threatening storm surge, heavy rain capable of producing flash flooding, tropical storm or hurricane force winds along the south shore and east end of Long Island and across southeast Connecticut. There will also be associated marine and coastal hazards, including very rough seas and dangerous rip currents. Severe beach erosion is possible for coastal areas of Long Island Sound and portions of Suffolk County, including the Twin Forks region.
A widespread rainfall of 2 to 4 inches is forecast in the path of Henri with localized higher amounts possible Saturday through Sunday evening. The highest amounts are forecast to be across eastern Long Island and much of southeastern Connecticut. This will present a likelihood for areas of flash flooding. Dangerous marine conditions are likely on the ocean waters south of Long Island, as well as on Long Island Sound, and the south shore and eastern bays of Long Island.
Tropical storm force winds will be most likely in those areas, near the south shores and east end of Long Island and southeast Connecticut, and in some higher elevations away from the coastline. Dangerous rip currents and high surf are expected along the ocean beaches of Long Island beginning Friday.
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
Morning Weather Report: Heat Advisory, Heat Index Reaching 105 Degrees
Today - Heat Advisory Ends at 8:00 PM
Sunny, with a high near 94. Heat index values as high as 105. Calm wind becoming south around 6 mph in the afternoon.
High Tides: 3:11 AM/3:56 PM
Low Tides: 9:35 AM/10:09 PM
Tonight
A chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 2am, then a slight chance of showers. Patchy fog after 2am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Tomorrow
A chance of showers before 8am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8am and 2pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. West wind 5 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tomorrow Night
Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 2am, then a slight chance of showers after 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. North wind 7 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Morning Weather Report: Excessive Heat Warning; Heat Index of 109 Degrees
Today - Excessive Heat Warning, 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Mostly sunny, with a high near 96. Heat index values as high as 109. Southwest wind 5 to 9 mph.
High Tides: 2:22 AM/2:49 PM
Low Tides: 8:50 AM/9:16 PM
Tonight
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before midnight. Patchy fog after 2am. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 76. South wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tomorrow
Patchy fog before 8am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 96. Heat index values as high as 107. Calm wind becoming southwest around 6 mph in the afternoon.
Tomorrow Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind 3 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.