Westport’s Emergency Operations Center has been activated.
Uh-oh.
An announcement on WWPT-FM 90.3 — the town’s emergency broadcaster, which will be all-storm, all-the-time throughout the weekend — says to expect only moderate snowfall: 4 to 6 inches.
That’s the good news.
The bad news: With 2 full-moon high tides, and winds gusting up to 55 miles an hour, there will be flooding on par with the 1992 nor’easter that surged through downtown. Tides are expected to be 1 foot lower than Hurricane Irene in 2011.
The high tides are expected tomorrow morning at 10:30 a.m., then more significantly tomorrow night at 11. Sustained winds of 25 to 30 mph from the northeast — with those much higher gusts — will push the water very high.
Town officials urge residents to move cars now to higher ground. Saugatuck Shores residents can park at railroad station Lot 8 (by I-95 Exit 17). Compo and Old Mill residents can park at Longshore.
Officials warn all residents to secure loose objects on decks, porches and patios.
The forecast calls for snow to begin falling tomorrow morning. The storm will continue for 24 to 36 hours.
Stay safe and warm, Westport. And stay tuned to 90.3, and “06880.”
PS: Send photos!
PPS: If there’s a fire hydrant near you, don’t forget to clear snow from around it.
Hurricane Irene flooded downtown Westport, in August 2011.
As I recall, the lower lot on the outbound side of the Saugatuck station had about three feet of water in the 1992 flood (was that the Halloween event?). Significant construction was done after the storm, now the question is whether that raised the lot enough to mitigate potential flooding from a storm like the one we expect.
Not Halloween — early December, I think.
I remember it being as Dan said early Dec. I remember hearing about a woman being rescued from her car on Riverside by the Sunoco workmen. It c up so fast she couldn’t get out of her car. Good reason to stay home tomorrow
And didn’t Sandy flood much of the Westport areas, downtown and Saugatuck?
And anywhere near rivers, tidal inlets?
Was the train station lot under water then too?
I do remember the downtown flood in 1992 as I worked at Quick Copy (Toquet Hall building) at the time!
Good luck tomorrow, Westporter’s!
Have lived at beach for 45 years. 1992 flood was on December 11. It was about a foot higher than Irene and a foot lower than Sandy. I know. I have the relative water marks on the garage interior. Sandy was the only one so far to get into the first floor of our home….three inches….but enough to cause havoc. Lost two cars and a lawn tractor in the 1992 event. Lesson learned. Have moved cars for every event since.
BTW..I took video of 1992 storm. It was used in making the case for the storm drain pumping station at Compo. Water came up Bradley Street like a river and got to a depth of 2 and a half feet in ten minutes!!!
Tom, Would love to see that video! Can u post it here?
Video not intended for internet distribution. Showing it at a town meeting in a controlled environment is one thing…the internet not so much.
So much panic.
Hmmm…forewarned is forearmed. Panic is a subjective thing sitting in a nice safe place isn’t it.
Worry about senior citizen neighbours, and Syrian refugees.
This time next week the snow will be gone.
I am a senior (78)…..it’s not about the snow it’s about the flooding….try it sometime…
Build a sea wall.
Sheesh…are you always so pleasant.
Dead serious.
Dead horse.
I would be more about the overdue massive earthquake and 50 foot tsunami wall that will wipe out most of Vancouver and surrounding areas in the Pacific NorthWest. Most of us here are prepared for our minor flooding events….are you prepared for the possibility of such an event Nancy?
Yes Nancy. You should build a sea wall. Easy peasy.
Just ask “The Donald” he might be able to build it for you guys up there in BC!
Jamie, you know the kind of sea wall I’m referring to, Then there is Richmond which, being below sea level, has a dyke. Both work well to prevent erosion and flooding. We happen to keep up with all of our infrastructure (including seismic upgrades).
P.S. You’ll have to deal with Donald’s type of wall. We have to deal with his new tower downtown. Ugh.
You also know, Jamie, that Vancouver Island protects the Vancouver mainland (i.e. the majority of the population) from a catastrophic tsunami, and that west coast areas of the Island have tsunami warning systems.
I think Nancy is #26
http://www.cartoonstock.com/directory/m/missing_the_point.asp
What is your point, Jerry? I’m missing it.
Hey Jerry…looks like you got that right!
Hi Tom. Remember it well. My mother as you know was right up the street from you. She had a plan in place but the surge started at half tide and damage was done in minutes. Fire fighters took her off her front porch in a boat well before high tide.
These events are frightening, dangerous and expensive. It’s disturbing to think that they are likely to repeat and maybe even intensify with the change in climate we are experiencing. Are merchants in downtown Westport likely to stay if they get flooded again and again? And residents close to the water will likely move, too, if they can sell. Last night a TV station showed a sea wall of sorts – a temporary, 12 foot artificial sand dune to protect a community, maybe in New Jersey, from this storm. Maybe we have to study Holland!