Funviralpark Massive storm bringing heavy rain, high winds and some snow to parts of Connecticut, causing up to 380,000 power outages that could take days to restore just before Christmas and severe freezing may, officials said Thursday.
Multiple school districts across the state have announced closures as the storm approaches. Districts that canceled classes on Friday included Groton Public Schools, Norwalk Public Schools, Seymour Public Schools, Thomaston Public Schools, Waterbury Public Schools and Westhaven Public Schools.
Eversource, the state’s largest utility, increased its forecast for power outages Thursday afternoon as the storm reached Connecticut. Eversource is preparing for a Level 4 event that could see 125,000 to 380,000 outages, and he said recovery will take two to six days.
Eversource officials said rain-soaked ground, strong winds lasting 12 to 24 hours, and a sharp drop in temperature were factors in the forecast.
“If the winds persist for too long and the ground becomes saturated, you will almost certainly lose a limb and possibly an entire tree,” Eversource president of Connecticut Power Operations Steve Sullivan said Wednesday. “It affects electrical systems and blocks roads.”
“We are obviously well aware of the fact that Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are just around the corner and temperatures are set to drop into the 10s on Saturday,” he added.
Sullivan said there will be competition for power restoration workers as the storm is expected to affect large swaths of the central and eastern United States. Sullivan said the company has more than 300 lines and his crew, including workers from as far away as Texas and Canada.
The company also has about 100 “troubleshooters” tasked with responding to fires and police calls that occur during storms. An additional 200 tree workers are also being deployed, along with an additional 200 other professionals, to restore power and reopen roads blocked by trees.
United Illumination, which supplies power to the Bridgeport and New Haven areas, is also predicting a power outage. United Illuminations spokesman Bob Brown said the company expects up to 15,000 customers to lose power.
In preparation for the storm, United Illumination is monitoring the progress of the storm, mobilizing a storm response team and supplementing its fully staffed crew with outside personnel, the company said in a statement.
“We know that rain, wind and sub-zero temperatures can affect vacation plans for our customers and employees, but it is important that everyone is prepared for this storm to arrive. “We are committed to responding and assisting in power outage situations as quickly and efficiently as possible,” said Frank, president and CEO of United Illuminating. “Our communities are staying safe and warm throughout the weekend.” Reynolds said.
The storm canceled more than 1,800 flights across the country as some travelers were stranded days before Christmas. By noon Thursday, he had only four flights canceled at Bradley International Airport in his Rocks in Windsor, according to a Connecticut Airport Authority spokesman. All flights were to or from Chicago and Denver. About 10 other departures or arrivals were delayed.
Alisa Sisic, spokesperson for the airport authority, said canceled flights are causing a “domino” effect as planes land in one place and cannot make the next leg of their journey. , advised people to contact their airlines for the latest information about their flights.
“It’s fair to say it’s a system-wide flight disruption,” added Sisic.
Officials at New Haven’s Tweed Airport said there had been no cancellations as of Thursday morning.
Temperatures will plummet Friday afternoon and evening, dropping to 10 degrees overnight. Therefore, depending on the location, it may snow or the road surface may freeze.
State highway crews cannot prepare roads. “Because the rain and wind will completely wash the roads and have no effect on Friday when temperatures drop,” spokesman Josh Morgan said. For the State Department of Transportation.
On Thursday, DOT crews confirmed the truck was fueled and loaded with salt, and chainsaws, wood chippers and loaders were ready to clear fallen trees and debris. I was confirming.
“We know something is coming, but we don’t know how serious it will be,” he added. He said the agency will install digital signs to inform drivers of the weather along Interstate 95 and encourage travelers to check road conditions before heading to the travel agency’s travel website. .
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority said Thursday it was “prepositioning crews and diesel locomotives” ahead of the storm.
“Additional personnel will be deployed this afternoon and overnight to identify and quickly address any line, signal or power issues that may be caused by flooding, washed away, fallen trees or other potential storm damage. will be added,” the statement said Thursday. “Officials will survey and remove drainage areas as needed, strengthen critical areas, and look for trees that need to be removed or railroad structures that need attention.”
The National Weather Service issued a wind speed warning for the entire state of Connecticut and the storm is expected to produce gusts of 45 to 55 miles per hour. The Bureau of Meteorology’s New York office said in an update Wednesday night that winds could topple tree branches and cause widespread power outages.
Parts of Connecticut could receive up to 3 inches of rain, causing widespread flooding. A coastal flood warning was issued Friday for the entire Connecticut coastline.
As temperatures cool on Friday, the weather service said rain could turn to snow in parts of the state. Plunging temperatures can also bring black ice patches and flash freezes.
Cold temperatures and gusty winds will bring temperatures to as low as minus 5 degrees Celsius in some areas on Friday night, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
Before the storm, Gov. Ned Lamont announced this week that he was activating the state’s Severe Cold Protocol from Friday through Monday.
“Over the next few days, our region will experience an interesting array of weather conditions, starting with a midday storm on Friday that could bring heavy rain and very strong wind gusts, followed by a sharp rise in temperatures. That night, and throughout the Christmas weekend, it will remain, especially in the evening hours,” the governor said.
The protocol will allow state and local officials to work with other organizations to monitor shelter capacity and provide transportation to shelters for those in need.
