Hold on tight, Connecticut! A powerful Nor'easter slammed into our state, bringing heavy rain and winds strong enough to potentially knock out power. But here's where it gets controversial... some areas are expected to get hit much harder than others. Was your town prepared? Let's dive into the details and see what this storm brought and where the damage is most severe.
The storm, a classic Nor'easter, charged up the East Coast on Sunday, packing a punch powerful enough to trigger states of emergency in New Jersey and parts of New York. Even before the storm fully arrived, airports were bracing for impact, with delays and cancellations rippling through the system, according to the Associated Press. However, as of Sunday evening, Connecticut's Bradley International Airport and Tweed in New Haven reported relatively on-time schedules. It's almost too calm, isn't it? I wonder if they got lucky, or if the worst is yet to come...
Connecticut's shoreline was under a coastal flood advisory and a wind advisory, issued by the National Weather Service (NWS). These advisories signaled the potential for significant impacts: think 1 to 2 feet of flooding in low-lying areas and winds gusting up to a potentially damaging 50 mph. The NWS specifically warned that these conditions were possible along the shoreline. And this is the part most people miss... these advisories aren't just warnings; they're calls to action. Did you take the necessary precautions to protect your property and family?
The NWS anticipated that from noon Sunday until 6 p.m. Monday, shoreline areas would experience sustained winds between 20 and 30 mph, with those stronger gusts reaching up to 50 mph. The strongest winds were predicted to occur Sunday night into early Monday, creating a potentially hazardous overnight situation. Think about it: darkness combined with high winds could make downed power lines and fallen trees even more dangerous to navigate.
The weather service explicitly warned that these strong winds could bring down tree limbs and even entire trees, leading to widespread power outages. Eversource, Connecticut's largest electricity provider, confirmed this reality, reporting hundreds of power outages across the state on Sunday evening. The primary culprit? Fallen tree limbs, just as predicted. "Northeast wind direction and fully leafed vegetation may increase the magnitude of downed tree limb, tree and power line impacts," the weather service said. This is because the wind is pushing against the leafy trees, making them more likely to fall over, compared to winter when there are no leaves.
In Greenwich, the Town reported that Byram Terrace Drive was briefly shut down after a tree crashed into the road. Additionally, Brookside Drive experienced partial blockage due to low-hanging wires, posing a hazard to drivers. Further east, the state Department of Transportation reported that state Route 207 in Lebanon was closed in both directions at Seabury Road around 6 p.m. due to a tree down with wires entangled. The Norwalk Police Department also reported a temporary closure of Chestnut Hill at Field Street after a tree fell, although the road was later reopened.
Beyond the wind, Connecticut's shoreline also faced the threat of 1 to 3 inches of rain from what the weather service described as a "long-duration" storm. This prolonged rainfall could lead to flooding and localized damage along the coast. While a Sunday evening update from the weather service indicated that the potential for major coastal flooding had decreased slightly compared to earlier in the day, the threat of smaller-scale, scattered flooding remained a concern. But here's the thing: even "scattered" flooding can cause significant damage to individual homes and businesses. Has your area experienced any unexpected flooding from this storm?
The storm's impact wasn't limited to Connecticut. Long Island was bracing for widespread flooding along the south shore in Nassau and Suffolk counties, with damaging winds expected across the eastern portion of the island into early Monday. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul issued an emergency declaration for eight southern counties in her state on Sunday evening, urging residents to closely monitor forecasts and avoid unnecessary travel. All of New Jersey had been under a state of emergency since Saturday night, authorizing the activation of emergency services personnel as needed. Even further south, in Delaware, emergency management officials activated the state National Guard to respond to rising floodwaters and strong winds. In South Carolina, emergency crews had to rescue several motorists when rising waters inundated their cars.
So, Connecticut, how did your area fare? Did the storm live up to the hype, or did you get lucky? What precautions did you take, and were they effective? Share your experiences and insights in the comments below. Let's discuss the storm's impact and learn from each other's experiences. What do you think - were the warnings sufficient, or should more have been done to prepare the public? Let's hear your thoughts!
