Storm Report: Westport Prepares for Tropical Storm Elsa
Editor’s Take
Tropical Storm Elsa will reach the area during the overnight hours. Heavier bands of rain are forecasted to begin just after midnight and last through noon tomorrow, with chances of rain continuing through midnight Saturday morning. Winds are forecast to be strongest between 5 and 10 tomorrow morning, with gusts of 30 mph or more possible. Elsa has produced tornadoes in most southeastern states as it makes its way north, so tornado activity and water spouts are possible. Lighting is a threat throughout the night and into tomorrow, with several lighting strikes hitting Westport Thursday afternoon.
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Residents are urged to stay off of the roadways for the morning hours, keep devices charged with batteries nearby, and to assure that all outdoor furniture and decorations are properly secured. The heat index for tomorrow afternoon will reach 90 degrees, so keeping homes cool and keeping window shades drawn and doors/windows closed may assist in keeping homes cool in the event of power outages.
Boat owners are urged to check that all bimini and fabric tops are closed and secured, all deck items - pillows, PFDs, or other items - are stowed away, and that bilge pumps are working. With forecasts predicting 2”-3” of rain, bilge pumps will be running more than usual, and could cause batteries to die, turning the pumps off and putting boats at risk of flooding. Checking on your vessel before and after the storm will prove important.
Children who have been sent away to summer camps are urged to worry about nothing, as they shouldn’t have much electricity and technology anyways.
Local Closures and Cancellations:
Town of Westport Public School programs, such as Extended School Year and Continuing Education programming.
Town of Westport Parks & Recreation summer camps and activities
Town of Westport Center for Senior Activities programs and activities. Meal deliveries will be on a two hour delay.
All roads passable at 7:00 PM Thursday
Active Weather Warnings, Advisories, and Watches:
Severe Thunderstorm Watch: Effective until 9:00 PM Thursday.
Flood Advisory: Effective until 9:15 PM Thursday.
Flash Flood Watch: Effective until Noon Friday.
From the National Weather Service, NYC: Tropical Storm Elsa will move toward the area this evening passing near or over the Mid Atlantic coast late tonight, and near or over eastern Long Island and southeast New England on Friday morning. The main threats from Elsa are heavy rain capable of producing flash flooding, tropical storm force winds especially along the south shore of Long Island and across southeast Connecticut, and associated marine and coastal hazards, including very rough seas and dangerous rip currents. A widespread rainfall of 2 to 4 inches with locally higher amounts is forecast from this evening into Friday. The highest amounts are forecast to be from NYC to the north and west. Dangerous marine conditions should also develop on the ocean waters south of Long Island, as well as on Long Island Sound, and the south shore and eastern bays of Long Island. Tropical storm force winds will be most likely in those areas, near the south shores of Long Island and southeast Connecticut, and in some higher elevations away from the coastline. Dangerous rip currents will likely occur along the ocean beaches of Long Island.
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