Saugatuck Swing
Another afternoon high tide means another bridge opening for the Cribari bridge in Saugatuck. WestportLocal.com photo
In the Reeds
Flat water along the bank and calm winds gave for a serene scene this afternoon along the Compo Yacht Basin. WestportLocal.com photo
Westport COVID-19 Cases Up 31; State Positivity Rate, Hospitalizations Up
The State Department of Public Health reported 31 more COVID-19 cases in Westport over the past day. The State positivity rate was up to 11.77% while 348 people remain hospitalized around the State.
Westport total positive or probable cases: 5,612 cases.
Westport total COVID-19 Deaths: 38 deaths
State Daily Test Positivity: 11.77% [up from 11.68%]
State COVID-19 Hospitalizations: 348 patients [up from 339]
Morning Weather Report
Today
Sunny, with a high near 88. North wind around 6 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 69. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tomorrow
Sunny, with a high near 95. Heat index values as high as 99. South wind 5 to 11 mph.
Tomorrow Night
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind 5 to 7 mph becoming calm in the evening.
High Tides
3:18 AM / 3:44 PM
Low Tides
9:34 AM / 10:07 PM
Breaking Through
Orange beams from the setting sun found a small space in the clouds just big enough to allow their bright light to shower South Beach in their glow as dozens sat down for their evening barbecues. WestportLocal.com photo
Westport COVID-19 Cases Up 11; State Positivity Rate 11.68%, Hospitalizations Up to 339 Patients
The State Department of Public Health reported 11 more COVID-19 cases in Westport over the weekend. The State positivity rate was up to 11.68% while 339 people were hospitalized around the State.
Westport total positive or probable cases: 5,581 cases.
Westport total COVID-19 Deaths: 38 deaths
State Daily Test Positivity: 11.68% [up from 11.28%]
State COVID-19 Hospitalizations: 339 patients [up from 329 since Friday]
Evening Clouds float through
Tonight’s eastern clouds glowed from the light of the Western sun as it set over the community. WestportLocal.com photo
Morning Weather Report
Today
Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 88. Southwest wind 6 to 8 mph.
Tonight
Isolated showers and thunderstorms before 9pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 67. West wind around 6 mph becoming north after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Tomorrow
Sunny, with a high near 89. North wind around 6 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon.
Tomorrow Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 70. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
High Tides
2:36 AM / 3:01 PM
Low Tides
8:53 AM / 9:19 PM
Westport COVID-19 Cases Up 12 over Weekend; State Positivity Rate Down
The State Department of Public Health reported 12 more COVID-19 cases in Westport over the weekend. The State positivity rate was down to 11.28%.
Westport total positive or probable cases: 5,570 cases.
Westport total COVID-19 Deaths: 38 deaths
State Daily Test Positivity: 11.28% [down from 12.17%]
State COVID-19 Hospitalizations: 329 patients [will update Thursday]
Deja Vu: Governor Activates Extreme Hot Weather Protocol through Friday as Temps Soar
Governor Ned Lamont today announced that due to a weather forecast indicating that temperatures over the next several days will be very hot and humid with highs of more than 90 degrees and a heat index in the low to mid 90s, he is directing Connecticut’s extreme hot weather protocol to be activated beginning at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 2, 2022, and remaining in effect through 8:00 p.m. on Friday, August 5, 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. (In the coming hours, the website will display a banner that contains a link to a list of cooling centers.)
“The stretch of hot weather coming this week isn’t expected to be quite as hot and humid as the most recent wave we had a few days ago, but the temperatures will still be very high, and anyone who anticipates spending long periods of time outdoors should take caution,” Governor Lamont said. “The state is working with our local and nonprofit partners to make cooling centers available statewide. Anyone who needs a place to cool off should call 2-1-1 to find their nearest available cooling center.”
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.
Never leave pets inside of parked vehicles because temperatures can soar to life-threatening levels within minutes.
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.