Winter Storm Gail: Message from Town Officials
Westport, CT- Westport First Selectman Jim Marpe and the Office of Emergency Management issue the following message in preparation of Winter Storm Gail.
A significant winter storm is forecast for tonight with heavy snow hitting our area. Travel is not advised tonight through Thursday afternoon. We ask residents to have all storm preparations complete and stay off the roads this evening.
WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 1 PM THURSDAY
Heavy snow expected with snow accumulations of 12 to 16 inches with winds gusting as high as 40 mph. Travel could be very difficult and dangerous. The hazardous conditions could impact the evening and morning commutes. Near blizzard conditions and near white out conditions are possible overnight into early tomorrow morning.
COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 11 PM WEDNESDAY TO 2 AM THURSDAY
Minor to locally moderate flooding is expected in the most vulnerable locations near the waterfront and shoreline. 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.
PRECAUTIONARY ACTIONS
If travel is essential, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. Allow extra time as some roads may be closed. Dangerous travel conditions may exist. Do not drive around barricades or through water of unknown depth. Take the necessary actions to protect flood-prone properties including moving vehicles to higher ground.
Sign up for local EMERGENCY ALERTS: Text 06880 to 888777
Or sign up now at www.nixle.com
Registration Open for Saturday’s Candlelight Concert
According to the Staples High School Music Department, registration has been opened for Saturday’s virtual Candlelight Concert. The 80th anniversary concert will begin at 7:30 PM, and can be registered for by going to staplesmusic.org for digital tickets. The concert is free, however donations will be accepted. Photo by Dylan Goodman Photography, contributed by the Staples Music Parents Association.
Staples Senior Daria Maya named Coca-Cola Scholar Semi-finalist
According to a Staples High School press release:
“Daria Maya, a student at Staples High School, has been named a Semifinalist for the 2021 class of the Coca-Cola Scholars Program.
1,609 high school seniors were selected as Semifinalists from a pool of 99,403 submitted applications from across the country based on their academic excellence, leadership and service demonstrated in school and community activities.
The Semifinalists are in the running for 150 college scholarships worth $20,000.
Local high school senior Daria Maya has been named a Semifinalist for the 2021 class of the Coca-Cola Scholars Program, moving to the next round of the selection process to become a Coca-Cola Scholar and receive a $20,000 college scholarship. A joint effort of Coca-Cola bottlers across the country and The Coca-Cola Company, the Coca-Cola Scholars Program is the largest corporate-sponsored, achievement-based scholarship program in the United States. With the addition of the 2021 class, the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation will have provided more than 6,450 Coke Scholars nationwide with over $75 million in scholarships over the course of 33 years.
“We believe that identifying these young leaders throughout the country and encouraging their passion for serving others not only empowers the students, but also lifts up those around them.” said Jane Hale Hopkins President of the Foundation. “The Coca-Cola system is dedicated to giving back to the communities they serve, and the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation is proud to be a part of that commitment.”
In addition to receiving college scholarships, those students selected as Coca-Cola Scholars will be welcomed into a vibrant and growing family of alumni that have become a powerful force for positive change in the world. Through networking, collaborations, and friendships, the group strives to make a greater impact together. Recent initiatives include a podcast called The SIP, Coke Scholars Care (Coke Scholars doing good in the midst of the pandemic), and the fifth year of a coaching program that partners seasoned alumni with first-year Scholars as they transition to college. Every 5 years, all alumni are invited to a Coca-Cola Scholars Leadership Summit.”
Staples Senior Daria Maya, 2021 Coca-Cola Scholarship Program Semi-finalist.
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