National Weather Service: “Cold Water Can Kill You”
The National Weather Service (NWS) and United States Coast Guard (USCG) have partnered together this year for Cold Water Safety Awareness Week, April 11-15, 2022. Unfortunately we have been reminded of the danger of cold water across our area over the last few Spring seasons, through the deaths of several boaters and kayakers each year. In fact, according to the USCG, from 2010 to 2020 there were 219 recreational boating deaths in the local Tri-State waters; many of which were presumed from cold water drowning.
The warming weather over the next couple of months will only increase the number of people heading onto the water in the pursuit of outdoor activities that are compliant with social distancing practices. Although average high temperatures are rising through the 60s in April and into the lower to mid 70s in May, our water temperatures will still be cold. Local water temperatures typically don't warm above 50 degrees until early May, and then the upper 50s by late May. Many will head to our coastal and inland waters to enjoy the warm weather on small boats, kayaks, canoes, and paddle boards; but ocean currents, rip currents, wave action, and boat wakes enhance the threat of people falling into or overturning into these cold waters.
Did you know cold water drains body heat up to 25 times faster than cold air? Survival time is greatly diminished when water temperatures are below 60 degrees, and that is reduced to only a few minutes when water temperatures are less than 50 degrees. When cold water makes contact with your skin, cold shock causes an immediate loss of breathing control. This dramatically increases the risk of sudden drowning even if the water is calm and the person knows how to swim. The danger is even greater if the water is rough. Immersion in cold water is immediately life-threatening for anyone not wearing thermal protection, like a wetsuit or drysuit, and not wearing a Personal Flotation Device (PFD), like a life jacket.
Next week, the National Weather Service and USCG will be highlighting the following cold water dangers, preparedness, and safety information through social media and web campaigns. Topics include:
Monday 4/11: Cold Water Safety Overview
Tuesday 4/12: Cold Water Shock
Wednesday 4/13: Physical Incapacitation
Thursday 4/14: Hypothermia
Friday 4/15: Cold Water Resources, Preparedness and Action
Additionally, in an effort to provide more situational awareness and urgency to the hazard in the Spring, NWS NY will be issuing Marine Weather Statements ahead of good boating weekends and holidays when air temps are expected to get to 70 degrees or higher along the coast, while water temps are still less than 60 degrees (typically through end of May). These statements will be highlighted on our NWS New York, NY homepage, and available directly at National Weather Service Text Product Display and through NWSChat. We will also headline these statements on our Top News of the Day and send out accompanying social media posts. Please help us amplify this messaging when it is issued!
For more in depth information on the risks of cold water, cold water safety, and cold water preparedness, take a look at our NWS Cold Water Hazards and Safety Page and the following resources:
Neighborhood Assistance Act Applications being Accepted for Tax Credits
Westport Director of Human Services Elaine Daignault has announced that the Town is currently accepting applications for the 2022 Neighborhood Assistance Act (NAA) Tax Credit Program sponsored by the CT Dept. of Revenue Services (DRS). The NAA program is designed to provide funding for municipal and tax-exempt organizations by providing a corporation business tax credit for businesses that make cash contributions to these entities.
The NAA program allows businesses to claim a State tax credit for cash contributions made to qualifying community programs conducted by tax exempt or municipal agencies. The types of community programs that qualify for the NAA tax credit program include but are not necessarily limited to: energy conservation; employment and training; childcare services; programs serving low income persons; open space acquisition; crime prevention programs and affordable housing development. The minimum contribution on which a tax credit may be granted is $250 and the maximum contribution that any nonprofit or municipal entity can receive under this program is $150,000. There are no Town funds involved in this program.
Each municipal agency or tax-exempt organization that wishes to participate in the NAA Program must complete the program proposal application available on the CT DRS website. This form must be submitted to the municipality for approval by its governing body. All locally approved programs must be submitted to the DRS no later than July 1.
For further information about the Neighborhood Assistance Act Program, please go to the DRS website at http://www.ct.gov/DRS. (Search for 2022 Neighborhood Assistance Act program application). Agencies wishing to participate should submit applications to the attention of Elaine Daignault, Director, Westport Department of Human Services, 110 Myrtle Ave., Westport, CT 06880 by Friday, May 20, 2022. The list of participating agencies will be submitted to the Representative Town Meeting for approval at its meeting on Tuesday, June 7, 2022.
Westport COVID-19 Cases Up 42; State Positivity Rate 5.27%, Hospitalizations Down
The State Department of Public Health reported on Friday 42 more cases in Westport over the past day. The State’s daily test positivity rate was up to 5.27% while hospitalizations were down 11 patients, with 117 patients currently hospitalized for COVID-19 throughout the State.
Westport total positive or probable cases: 4,151 cases.
Westport total COVID-19 Deaths: 36 deaths
State Daily Test Positivity: 5.27% [up from 4.88%]
State Hospitalizations: 117 patients [-11]
Morning Weather Report
Today
Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Some of the storms could produce small hail. Partly sunny, with a high near 55. South wind 6 to 10 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Tonight
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. West wind 3 to 5 mph.
Tomorrow
Mostly sunny, with a high near 52. West wind 8 to 15 mph.
Tomorrow Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 36. Northwest wind 8 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.