Westport’s Emergency Operations Center says: “Roads are hazardous. Stay off the streets to allow plowing and emergency access. A parking ban is in effect. Avoid non-essential travel.”
So what can you do? Enjoy these photos!
And stay warm and dry.
Saugatuck Shores (Photo/Rindy Higgins)
Whitney Street, last night (Photo/Molly Alger)
Main Street, last night (Tomoko Meth)
Jamie Walsh says, “Not even a blizzard stops Birds of Prey from a hearty breakfast.”
(Photo/Diane Lowman)
Off Cross Highway, last night (Claudia Sherwood Servidio)
Westport and Weston seem to have weathered the Blizzard of 2026 well.
At least, judging from the low number of power outages.
As of 6 a.m., Eversource reported only 17 Westport customers without electricity. That’s 0.13% of the town. They all appeared to be in the Center Street area of Greens Farms.
Weston had 85 outages (2.17%).
Statewide, 8,104 residents had lost power (0.61.%).
Snow and wind is expected to continue through noon. Another 2 to 4 inches of snow are possible, with winds continuing at 25 to 35 miles an hour.
Stay warm and safe! If you need anything, please email 06880blog@gmail.com. We’ll do our best to help!
The view outside “06880” headquarters. (Photo/Dan Woog)
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An incorrect date was listed yesterday, in the story on The Thing’s VersoFest show this week.
The platform helps local businesses and organizations offer part-time, seasonal and intern positions to high school students. Jobs include retail work, business support, non-profit assistance, lifeguarding, camp counseling and more. The Job Bank can be found here.
The Student Job Bank is free to businesses and students.
Speaking of high school students: Congratulations to Staples wrestlers Gavin Donaldson (120 pounds), Seamus Brannigan (126) and Julian Rousseau (215) — all first-place winners at Saturday’s state “LL” (extra large schools) tournament.
Congrats too to silver medalist Damian Rousseau.
Those 4 — plus Kai Schwartz (132) and Jessiah Jones (190) — move on to the state open meet this coming weekend.
Staples head coach Jordan Marion (far left), and Staples wrestlers at the LL tournament. First-place winners holding their bout sheets are (from left in the middle) Julian Rousseau, Gavin Donaldson and Seamus Brannigan.
(Tired of shoveling? Not ready to start yet? Relax … it’s the perfect time to click here and support “06880.” We can’t dig out your car. But we can continue to provide 24/7/365 news and info. Thank you!)
The town remains under a Local Civil Preparedness Emergency. as a major winter storm impacts the region this evening through Monday.
Governor Lamont has declared a statewide State of Emergency. That includes an emergency order prohibiting commercial vehicle travel on all limited access highways statewide, in effect now, until further notice.
Westport’s Emergency Operations Center has been activated to coordinate storm response operations. Police, Fire, EMS, Public Works, and Human Services are fully engaged, and staging personnel and equipment.
Heavy snowfall, damaging winds and periods of whiteout visibility are expected. Travel conditions are deteriorating, and will become extremely dangerous overnight.
Coastal Flooding & Storm Surge: A Coastal Flood Warning is in effect. Overnight high tides are expected to produce moderate coastal flooding, with storm surge levels forecast between approximately 4 and 4.6 feet above normal astronomical tide levels. Low-lying and flood-prone areas, including portions of Saugatuck Shores, Compo Beach and other shoreline neighborhoods, are expected to experience roadway flooding during the overnight high tide.
Critical Resident Actions:
• Remain off the roads unless absolutely necessary.
• Remove vehicles from roadways immediately.
• If vehicles must remain on the street, follow alternate side parking based on the calendar date.
• Prepare for possible power outages.
• Avoid driving through flooded coastal roadways.
• Check on elderly neighbors and those who may need assistance.
First Selectman Kevin Christie adds, “Residents should remain home throughout the duration of the storm. Keeping roads clear is critical for plowing operations and emergency response, particularly with the added concern of coastal flooding.”
DPW crews will operate continuously throughout the storm. Emergency services remain fully operational.
Westport officials have declared a Local Civil Preparedness Emergency, in advance of the predicted major winter storm.
The declaration activates the town’s Local Emergency Operations Plan, and authorizes coordination of all emergency response assets.
The Town’s Emergency Operations Center will open at approximately 5 p.m. under a partial hybrid activation, with Chief Nicholas Marsan and Deputy Chief Matthew Cohen present to coordinate operations.
Updated Storm Forecast
Timing: Snow begins approximately 1 p.m. today (Sunday), and continues through Monday evening.
Accumulation: 18–24 inches of heavy, wet snow is forecast.
Winds: Gusts of 60 to 70 miles per hour; strongest along the shoreline.
Coastal Flood Warning: Midnight to 5 a.m. Monday. Moderate coastal flooding is possible during the early Monday morning high tide.
Travel: Major impacts expected; travel may become dangerous or impossible at times.
Public Safety Directives
Parking ban: Effective noon Sunday. Residents are strongly encouraged to park in driveways and other off-street locations whenever possible.
If you must park in the street, then park only on the side of the street that corresponds with the calendar date.
Even house numbers end in 0, 2, 4, 6, 8.
Odd house numbers end in 1, 3, 5, 7, 9.
– Sunday: Park on the EVEN-numbered side
– Monday (2/23): Park on the ODD-numbered side
Stay off the roads: Travel should be avoided once snowfall intensifies.
Prepare for power outages: Hazardous winds and snow may delay restoration efforts.
Generator safety: Operate generators outdoors only, and away from structures.
Prepare for prolonged cold: Extended cold temperatures are forecast following the storm.
Sign up for alerts: Text “06880” to 888777 to receive emergency notifications via Nixle.
Westporters know a blizzard is coming. A few minutes ago, the line at Trader Joe’s wound all the way to the milk and orange juice cases on one side, and nearly to the bananas on the other.
The parking lot — and entrance from the Post Road — was crazier than ever. That’s saying something.
Trader Joe’s, noon today. (Photo/Dan Woog)
Meanwhile, the Westport Office of Emergency Management says:
We are closely monitoring a major coastal storm expected to impact the area from Sunday morning through Monday afternoon. The National Weather Service has issued a Blizzard Warning for coastal Connecticut.
Residents should prepare for dangerous conditions, including heavy snow, strong winds, coastal flooding, and power outages.
Expected Conditions
Heavy Snow: 13 to 18 inches are likely. Snowfall rates may exceed 2 inches per hour Sunday night.
High Winds: North/northeast winds of 30 to 35 miles per hour, with gusts up to 55.
Coastal Flooding: Widespread moderate coastal flooding is possible during Sunday night and Monday morning high tides. Inundation of 1.5 to 2.5 feet above ground level may occur in vulnerable low-lying areas.
Power Outages: Heavy, wet snow combined with strong winds may result in downed tree limbs and power interruptions.
Required Actions for Residents
Stay Off the Roads: Travel will become dangerous and may be impossible during peak storm conditions. Keep roadways clear for emergency vehicles and snow removal operations.
Parking Advisory: The Department of Public Works strongly urges residents to remove vehicles from roadways prior to the onset of snowfall. If vehicles cannot be fully removed, residents should follow alternate side parking based on the calendar date (odd/even schedule). Clearing streets is critical to allow plows to operate effectively and to ensure emergency access.
Protect Property: Move vehicles from flood-prone and low-lying waterfront areas where coastal flooding may occur.
Prepare for Outages: Fully charge electronic devices and ensure flashlights and extra batteries are readily available.
Check on Neighbors: Monitor elderly or vulnerable neighbors who may require assistance during the storm.
Report Emergencies: Call 911 for life-safety emergencies. Report power outages directly to Eversource (800-286-2000).
The Department of Public Works anticipates a prolonged event lasting approximately 36 hours, and will have crews on station beginning at midnight to support continuous snow removal operations. Residents should not expect sidewalks to be fully cleared until well after the storm concludes, particularly if snowfall accumulations reach projected levels.
The Westport Fire Department remains fully staffed and prepared to respond to all emergencies. Residents should complete storm preparations by Saturday evening, and remain indoors during peak storm conditions.
But before the Board of Finance discusses and votes to spend hundreds of millions of dollars, they want to hear from you.
Questions? Concerns? Just want to chat with a member?
Board of Finance “office hours” are this Thursday (February 19), in the Westport Library’s Room 213. Two sessions — 10 to 11 a.m., and 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. — ensure that just about any resident who wants to be heard, will be.
On March 4, the 1st selectman and Board of Education will informally present their budgets. On March 9 (BOE) and 10 (town), the BOF will conduct formal hearings.
The Boathouse is one of Westport’s most interesting restaurants.
It’s got a great seafood-and-more menu. The vibe is classy, but relaxed. The view of the Saugatuck River — especially from tables on the outdoor deck — can’t be beat.
The one downside: The only way to the 2nd-floor dining area is through the Saugatuck Rowing Club entrance, past the locker rooms and fitness center.
People finishing their workouts mingle with those about to dine.
That may soon be solved. On Monday (February 23, 6 p.m., Zoom), the Rowing Club will ask the Planning & Zoning Commission for a permit, to build a separate entrance. It would be located on the parking lot side.
The Boathouse restaurant is on the 2nd floor of the Saugatuck Rowing Club.
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Some — okay, many — Westporters are spending the schools’ winter break on ski slopes or beaches.
Fun. But also a bit, well, ordinary.
Rob Simmelkjaer and his daughters run with a different crowd.
They’re in Kaptagat, Kenya. Eliud Kipchoge — the greatest marathoner of all time — runs (ho ho) the Global Sports Camp there. Over 25 world class distance runners are training there now.
They were joined by Rob, Julia (a Staples High School junior) and Annika (a Coleytown Middle School 7th grader).
It was a business trip (of sorts) for Rob. The CEO of New York Road Runners, he told brought his team along.
He did not specify to “06880” whether that was his management team, or racing team.
This being the Road Runners, perhaps they’re the same.
Eliud Kipchoge, with Annika and Julia Simmelkjaer.
Speaking of sports: Congratulations to Mac Forehand!
The US Olympic team freestyle skier Mac Forehand — a Southport native, and son of Staples High School 1976 graduate Ray Forehand — earned a silver medal in Livigno, Italy yesterday.
He lost by just .25 of a second in the men’s freeski big air, to Norwegian Tormod Frostad.
NBC Sports reports: “Forehand nailed a pair of triple cork 2160s — one switch (95.00) and one regular with nose butter (98.25) — for 193.25 points and briefly jumped into 1st place, one point clear of Frostad with only the Norwegian left to drop. But Frostad answered in the clutch, retaking the lead, and the gold.
“‘I knew I had to one-up one of the tricks and I deliberated with my coaches for like five minutes at the top about what I should do,’ Forehand said. ‘The level of tricks I’ve been doing tonight were insane. … The top five guys all landed insane tricks that would win any other contest day.’
“While Forehand’s tricks featured more rotation, Frostad’s edge came in his technicality: nose-butter takeoffs, high-difficulty grabs and unique, sideway rotations that force blind landings — the kind of details judges heavily reward.”
Wakeman Town Farms hosts a cooking class (March 10, 7 p.m.; $125; BYOB), centered on the fungi.
Chef Genee Habansky of Herbaceous Catering will showcase varieties like blue oysters, hen of the woods, shiitakes and lions mane, while preparing (and tasting) dishes such as mushroom parmigiana, fricassee, mushroom “crab cakes” and crispy chicken-fried mushrooms.
The Levitt Pavilion just added another ticketed event.
Eggy — the Connecticut-based jam band — returns to the outdoor stage July 11.
Their Levitt Pavilion roots run deep. Eggy first performed in 2016, as part of the Blues, Views & BBQ Festival. They returned in 2019, and played to a full house 2 years later.
In 2022 Eggy was part of the sold-out Twiddle Festival. This year marks their first headline appearance.
But wait! There’s more! $1 from every ticket sold will be donated to Backline Care. The non-profit offer mental health and wellness resources for music industry professionals and their families.
Longtime Westport resident, softball star and youth coach Michael Calise died February 9, surrounded by his family, in Gilbert, Arizona, where he had retired. He was 87.
A proud US Marine, he served as a tank crewman and rifle range coach. After his discharge he worked as an electrician for Tarala in Norwalk.
He dedicated many hours to mentoring young athletes. He coached St. Luke’s CYO basketball; the Westport Little League Jaguars, leading them to 3 town championships, and the Westport Babe Ruth League Schaefer’s Sporting Goods team, guiding them to 2 titles. He was twice named Babe Ruth League head All-Star coach.
Mike also enjoyed a distinguished softball career. He was inducted into the Connecticut ASA Hall of Fame, and recognized by the Sportsmen of Westport. A Senior Softball world champion and Connecticut ASA state champion in 1962, he earned multiple batting titles and MVP honors as a player.
He spent much of his career with Sonny’s softball team, contributing to a remarkable 120–10 season. He also played with Chatham Oaks and Laurels AC, and competed in several world tournaments.
He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Carol Valiante Calise; children Michael Calise, Debbie Wohlforth, Dominick Calise and Grace Hodges; grandchildren Michael Calise (Samantha), Heather Hohimer (Stephen), Christy Leon (Matt), Christopher Wohlforth (Christina), Erika Calise, Caitlin Hodges (Zach), Anthony Calise and Nicholas Hodges; great-grandchildren Cameron, Austin, Madison, Troy, Wyatt, Dylan, Harper and Blake; great-great-grandchild Makayla, and sister Katherine Calise.
He was predeceased by his brother Douglas Winton, and son-in-law Bruce Hodges, who shared a special bond with him.
A funeral Mass is set for All Saints Catholic Church in Mesa, Arizona, on February 27, 2026 (10 a.m.).
Michael Calise
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With temperatures in the 40s — and rain ahead — the Saugatuck River won’t be frozen too much longer.
But it was on Monday. And Rowene Weems snapped this shadowy shot, for our “Westport … Naturally” daily feature.
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