Governor Activates Extreme Hot Weather Protocol as Temperatures Soar
Governor Ned Lamont’s Office: Governor Ned Lamont today announced that due to a weather forecast indicating that temperatures over the next several days will reach more than 95 degrees with the heat index expected to go over triple digits at times, he is directing Connecticut’s extreme hot weather protocol to be activated beginning at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 19, 2022, and remaining in effect through 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 24, 2022.
The purpose of the protocol is to ensure that the most vulnerable populations receive protection from the hot conditions. While enacted, a system is set up for state agencies, municipalities, and other partners to coordinate with United Way 2-1-1 to make sure that information regarding cooling centers is available statewide, providing a location to get some relief from the hot conditions.
Anyone in need of a cooling center should call 2-1-1 or look online at 211ct.org to find their nearest location.
“We’re about to experience our first heat wave of the year that over the next several days will bring very hot conditions, especially during the peak sunlight hours of the day,” Governor Lamont said. “I strongly urge anyone who needs a place to cool off to call 2-1-1 to find their nearest available cooling center. Everyone should take the necessary precautions as the heat rises over the next several days. A few steps can greatly reduce heat-related issues, especially for the elderly, the very young, and people with respiratory ailments who are more susceptible to the effects of high temperatures.”
The following actions are implemented while the protocol is enacted:
The Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection’s Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security uses its WebEOC communications network, which is an internet-based system that enables local, regional, and state emergency management officials and first responders to share up-to-date information about a variety of situations and conditions.
Municipalities and other partners submit information on the opening of cooling centers into the WebEOC, providing a real-time database on the availability of these locations statewide. United Way 2-1-1 uses the system to act as a clearinghouse to assist residents in locating a cooling center.
Regional coordinators from the Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security monitor WebEOC in order to respond to any requests from municipalities for state assistance.
The energy utility companies provide the state with regular updates regarding the impact of the weather conditions on their respective utilities throughout the duration of the protocol.
Although anyone can suffer from heat-related illness, some people are at greater risk than others:
Infants and young children are sensitive to the effects of high temperatures and rely on others to regulate their environments and provide adequate liquids.
People 65 years of age or older may not compensate for heat stress efficiently and are less likely to sense and respond to change in temperature.
People who are overweight may be prone to heat sickness because of their tendency to retain more body heat.
People who overexert during work or exercise may become dehydrated and susceptible to heat sickness.
People who are physically ill, especially those with heart disease or high blood pressure, or who take certain medications, such as for depression, insomnia, or poor circulation, may be affected by extreme heat.
Some prevention tips to stay safe in extreme heat include:
Keep your body temperature cool to avoid heat-related illness.
Stay in air-conditioned buildings as much as possible. If you must be outdoors, try to limit your outdoor activity to the morning and evening. Try to rest often in shady areas so that your body has a chance to cool off.
Find an air-conditioned shelter. (Call 2-1-1 for a list of cooling centers.) Do not rely on a fan as your primary cooling device.
Avoid direct sunlight.
Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing.
Take cool showers or baths.
Check on those most at-risk several times a day.
Pets that cannot be brought indoors should be provided ready access to water and shade to keep them cool.
Everyone is also reminded to stay hydrated during periods extreme heat. Because bodies lose fluid through sweat, dehydration is common while experiencing very high temperatures. It is strongly encouraged to:
Drink more water than usual.
Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink more fluids.
Drink two to four cups of water every hour while working or exercising outside.
Avoid alcohol or liquids containing high amounts of sugar.
Remind others to drink enough water.
Frank Mastrone & Special Guests Bring Broadway, Pop And The Classics To The Levitt Pavilion Sunday Evening
Frank Mastrone returned to the Levitt Pavilion For The Arts on Sunday once again to the delight of the very large, appreciative audience. Together with his exceptional band and the vocal talents of his special friends they delighted the audience again this year with their high energy performances across multiple genres of music. New this year was the addition of a "celebrity piano" once owned by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis which was provided to the Levitt Pavilion this week by Yury Feygin of Amadeus Piano of Westport. The former first lady studied piano growing up on Hammersmith Farm in Newport Rhode Island.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on any image to enlarge and open gallery.
In a memorable evening sponsored by Leifer Properties, Mastrone who has appeared on Broadway in The Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, Cats, Big: The Musical, Jekyll and Hyde and Saturday Night Fever brought his signature cabaret show giving fabulous renditions of Broadway hits everyone knows. He was joined by very talented vocalists Terry Eldh of Westport, Michelle Foor from New York City, and Jesse McGarty of Norwalk. Each of the performers joined Mastrone for several numbers and also sang solos.
After leading with Sinatra and Broadway show tunes, this amazing ensemble performed pop hits ranging from a cover of Nancy Sinatra's hit "These Boots Are Made For Walking" to a cover of the Tom Jones' hit "I Who Have Nothing/Delilah, and even a Jim Croce medley which had the audience joining in, and Adele's "Someone Like You". At the conclusion of the show, the standing ovation brought Mastrone back onstage for the Louis Armstrong classic hit from 1967 "What A Wonderful World".
Coming this week to the Levitt Pavilion For The Performing Arts will be Connecticut Ballet on Tuesday, another in the Wednesday Children's series, Brady Rymer & the Little Band That Could, and a Santana tribute band, Borboletta which appears on Thursday. For additional shows visit: https://www.levittpavilion.com/calendar/
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on any image to enlarge and open gallery.
Morning Weather Report
Today
A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 7am. Cloudy, with a high near 83. Light southeast wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
Tonight
Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 3am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind 10 to 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Tomorrow
A 20 percent chance of showers before 9am. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 90. West wind around 10 mph.
Tomorrow Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. West wind 6 to 8 mph.
High Tides
3:25 AM / 3:57 PM
Low Tides
9:47 AM / 10:19 PM
Aquarion: Mandatory Sprinkler Schedule as Drought Conditions Continue through October
Over the last thirty days, Connecticut has experienced lower than normal rainfall, with rain amounts totaling an estimated one inch, compared to four inches of rain which would typically fall in this time period. Lower rainfall, combined with high water demand, has led the State of Connecticut's lnteragency Drought Working Group to declare that all eight counties in the state are experiencing Stage 2 Drought conditions. These conditions can lead to a drought event and can impact water supplies, agriculture, and the environment. In light of these conditions, Aquarion is reminding its customers about the importance of water conservation.
Currently, Aquarion customers living in 13 towns are under a mandatory, twice-weekly irrigation schedule until October 31. Aquarion customers in the Fairfield County towns of Darien, Fairfield, Greenwich, New Canaan, Newtown, Stamford and Westport; the Hartford County towns of East Granby, Granby, and Simsbury; and the New London County towns of Groton, Mystic, and Stonington should continue following the mandatory, twice-weekly sprinkler irrigation schedule.
Mandatory, Twice-Weekly Sprinkler Irrigation Schedule in Darien, East Granby, Fairfield, Granby, Greenwich, Groton, Mystic, New Canaan, Newtown, Simsbury, Stamford, Stonington, and Westport
Aquarion also encourages customers that live outside of these 13 towns to voluntarily follow this schedule as an easy way to conserve water.
“As a precaution, we’re asking for our customers’ participation as we work to conserve water,” said Donald Morrissey, Aquarion President. “Our reservoir levels are currently sufficient, and we’re hopeful that rain amounts will soon return to normal. With our customers’ support, we are better able to mitigate the impacts of the current drought conditions.”
In order to use water more efficiently, Aquarion is encouraging customers to take the following actions:
Outdoor water conservation measures
Adjust your lawn mower to a higher setting. A taller lawn provides shade to the roots and helps retain soil moisture, so your lawn requires less water.
Reduce your sprinkler setting to our two days per week schedule. The grass roots will grow deeper and make your grass more drought tolerant.
Adjust your sprinklers so that they're watering your lawn and garden, and not the street or sidewalk.
Use hand watering or drip irrigation for shrubs and flowers.
Delay new plantings until the fall.
Inspect your overall irrigation system for leaks, broken lines or blockage in the lines. A well-maintained system will save you money, water, and time.
Indoor water conservation measures
Turn off the water while lathering up, shaving, or brushing your teeth.
Minimize baths and the amount of water you use for each. Trim one minute off the length of your showers.
Wash only full loads in your dishwasher and washing machine.
Hand wash dishes in a pan or the sink, not under continuous running water.
Reuse dehumidifier water or use a bucket to capture shower and bath water while you wait for it to warm up; then use the water to water your plants.
Visit www.aquarionwater.com/conserve for additional water conservation tips.