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