UPDATE, Aug. 6, 12:41 p.m.–
Wilton Center is still without power. Wilton Library and the drive-thru window are closed today. The power outage also affects the library’s website and therefore the Digital Library. When power is restored, the Digital Library will be available again at www.wiltonlibrary.org.
Village Market is also closed.
UPDATE, Aug. 5, 11 p.m.–First Selectwoman Lynne Vanderslice just posted an alarming bit of information: Eversource canceled its overnight crew that had been promised for road clearing. Vanderslice said that Wilton’s DPW crew was already onsite, waiting for the Eversource crew.
Her take: “This is completely unacceptable. We are pushing to get them back. Look for an update tomorrow.”
UPDATE, AUG. 5, 10:15 P.M.–First Selectwoman Lynne Vanderslice provided additional information in her nightly resident update on COVID-19.
- Statewide outages total 586,488 as of 9:30 p.m. Wednesday evening. Although there were increases in Wilton’s outages throughout the day, as of 9:30 p.m. outages remained virtually unchanged from yesterday. The same was true for neighboring communities. [Editor’s note–as of 10:15 p.m. Eversource showed that there were 5,463 customers (73%) without power.]
- Today, as DPW crews opened roads, new roads were added to the list of partially or fully closed roads. There still remains a sizable number of roads to be cleared.
- Today, Eversource-contracted crews from Canada removed and repaired downed wires. Tonight, Eversource road clearing crews are addressing high priority roads. DPW personnel are working with Eversource throughout the night in an effort to quicken the pace of the work
- Eversource is still not providing town-wide restoration estimates.
Reminders
- Road crews push debris to the side of the road to be later removed.
- Do not place debris from your yard on the side of the road. If you do, it will not be removed. Do not discard debris on town property.
- Please do not remove barriers, cones, and police tape placed on roads to prevent drivers. Dead wires can become active. Residents who removed these items today put themselves and other residents at risk.
- Water is available at Fire Headquarters.
- Emergency oxygen is available at Fire Headquarters.
UPDATE, Aug. 5, 7 p.m.–The number of residents without power has continued to rise on Eversource’s Outage Map reporting system. The utility reports that there are 5,668 customers–or 75%–currently without power in Wilton.
UPDATE, Aug. 5, 2:30 p.m.–First Selectwoman Lynne Vanderslice issued an update from Town Hall on the status of post-storm clean-up and recovery.
“The damage from yesterday’s storm was significant. It was on the magnitude of Hurricane Sandy in terms of damage to transformers, downed wires, and power outages. A number of roads remain closed. We have provided Eversource a list of priority roads with downed wires. The list includes Ridgefield Road and all landlocked roads.
“Eversource is currently in assessment mode, with life-threatening situations being prioritized. Eversource is not able to provide detailed estimates for power restoration. They are only providing that it will be multiple days. Power restoration for Sandy took up to a week or longer for some, so please plan accordingly.
“It is hard to be patient, particularly in the middle of a pandemic. Please know that town personnel are doing all that we can to expedite clearing and power restoration.We are very much dependent on Eversource, as is every other Connecticut municipality.
“Today’s midday status is as follows:
“Tree Removal/Road Clearing:
- “DPW and Parks and Grounds personnel have cleared several roads and areas with downed trees and debris. Work is ongoing. Wilton Police released a road status report as of 1:30 p.m. Please see below. Please use SeeClickFix to report additional issues. There is no need to report a duplicate issue.
- “Eversource is responsible for removal of wires and trees with wires, as removal requires coordination within their network to ensure safe removal. When work begins, please be aware that on occasion, power in another area must be temporarily shutdown to allow for the removal of downed wires located elsewhere.
- “If you are able, please stay off the roads.
“Power Restoration:
“As of 1:30 p.m., there were over 617,000 Eversource customers without power. 72.54% or 5,454 Wilton customers without power.
“According to our representative, today and possibly tomorrow, most of Eversource’s efforts will be focused on assessing the damage statewide with the use of helicopters and trucks. One crew is reported to be in Wilton.
“As a reminder, power restoration begins after Eversource has cleared prioritized roads of downed wires. Restoration is prioritized based on hospital and other emergency buildings and on the number of customers associated with an outage. The outage map on the Eversource website indicates the number of outages associated with your road or home. There are several large outage groups impacting Wilton residents, including but not limited to:
- A severely damaged transformer in Weston/Westport impacting over 1,800 customers
- 308 customers in the area of Wilton Center
- 496 customers in the area of Thayer Pond Road
- 518 customers in the area of Nod Hill
“As with the damaged transformer in Weston/Westport, damage outside of Wilton can impact Wilton service.
Other Information:
- “Water is available at the Fire Station. Please bring a container and call ahead or knock on the back door on the Town Hall side of the building.
- “The Transfer Station is closed due to a lack of power.
- “If you are without internet service, you may be able to use your cell service to provide an internet connection. The following are informational links: Verizon,AT&T, Sprint,Best Mobile Hotspots
Another update will be provided this evening. If you wish to contact me please email [me]. Thank you for your patience.
Lynne Vanderslice
First Selectwoman
UPDATE, Aug. 5, 2:00 p.m.–Here is the most recent list of roads impacted by damage from Tropical Storm Isaias, from the Wilton Police Department:
| Address Street / Route | Nearest Cross Street |
| Ambler Ln | Area of #11 |
| Antler Ln | Deer Run Rd |
| Banks Dr | Area of #10 |
| Belden Hill Rd | Area of #552 |
| Black Alder Ln | Multiple Locations |
| Borglum Rd | Area of #84 |
| Branch Brook Rd | |
| Buckingham Ridge | Area of #42 |
| Calvin Rd | Coley Rd |
| Cannon Rd | Multiple Locations |
| Cannon Rd | Sturges Ridge Rd |
| Catalpa Rd | Area #251 |
| Cedar Rd | Cobbs Mill Ln |
| Cheesespring Rd | Area of #68 |
| Chicken St | Branch Brook Rd |
| Cobbs Mill Rd | Area of #8 |
| Coley Rd | |
| Danbury Rd – Rt 7 | Olmstead Hill – Seeley Rd |
| Drum Hill Rd | Hidden Lake Ridge |
| Dudley Rd | Spoonwood Ln |
| Erdman Ln | |
| Fairview Ln | Area of #19 |
| Forge Rd | Telva Ln |
| Glen Hill Rd | Glen Hill Ln |
| Glen Hill Rd | Area of #24 |
| Graenest Ridge Rd | Area of #143 |
| Graenest Ridge Rd | Area of #83 |
| Graenest Ridge Rd | Multiple Locations |
| Granite Dr | Area of #8 |
| Ground Pine Rd | Area of #27 |
| Grumman Hill Rd | Area of #56 |
| Hearthstone Rd | Belden Hill Rd |
| Henry Austin | Bhasking Ridge |
| Heritage Ct | |
| Hickory Hill Rd | Area of #18 |
| Honey Hill Rd | Quail Ridge |
| Huckleberry Hill Rd | Quiet Lake Ln |
| Indian Hill Rd | Area of #72 |
| Kellogg Dr | Mayflower |
| Kent Rd | Chipmunk Ln |
| Linden Tree Rd | Area of #261 |
| Longmeadow Rd | Area of #37 |
| Millstone Rd | Area of #100 |
| Mountain Rd | Indian Hill Rd |
| Mountain Rd | Branch Brook Rd |
| Musket Ridge Rd | Mail Coach |
| New Canaan Rd | Trails End |
| New Canaan Rd | Area of #196 |
| Newtown Tpke | Area #278 |
| Newtown Tpke | Area of #457 |
| Nod Hill Rd | Ridgefield Rd-Olmstead |
| Nod Hill Rd | Partrick |
| Nod Hill Rd | Granite Dr |
| Nod Hill Rd | Teapot Ln |
| Nod Hill Rd | Ryders |
| Nutmeg Ln | Area of #14 |
| Old Belden Hill | Norwalk Town Line |
| Old Boston Rd | Saddle Ridge Rd |
| Old Huckleberry Hill | Area of #193 |
| Old Huckleberry Hill | Area of #16 |
| Olmstead Hill Rd | Area of #28 |
| Olmstead Hill Rd | Area of #325 |
| Olmstead Hill Rd | Sugarloaf |
| Overridge Ln | Area of #24 |
| Pimpewaug Rd | Skunk Ln |
| Pipers Hill Rd | |
| Portland Ave | Area of #96 |
| Powder Horn Hill Rd | Area of #30 |
| Richdale Pl | Catalpa |
| Ridgefield Rd | Middlebrook Farm Rd |
| Ridgefield Rd | Signal Hill Rd S |
| Ridgefield Rd | Center St |
| Ridgefield Rd | Fullin Ln |
| Rivergate Dr | Area of #90 |
| Rossimur Ct | |
| Ryders Lane | |
| School Rd | Kristine Lily Ln |
| Sear Hill Rd | Area of #143 |
| Seir Hill Rd | Hillcrest Pl |
| Sharp Hill Rd | Autumn Ridge |
| Signal Hill Rd | Common drive 121 |
| Skunk Ln | Briardale |
| Spoonwood Rd | Area of #48 |
| Stirrup Pl | Calvary Hill Rd |
| Sturges Ridge Rd | Area of #321 |
| Sturges Ridge Rd | Bhasking Ridge |
| Sturges Ridge Rd | Cedar Rd |
| Sturges Ridge Rd | Area of #137 |
| Sturges Ridge Rd | Liberty St |
| Sturges Ridge Rd | Pond Rd |
| Sturges Ridge Rd | Orchard |
| Sturges Ridge Rd | Pine Ridge Rd |
| Thunderlake Rd | Area of #98 |
| Turtleback Ln | Area of #6 |
| Wakefield Dr | Area of #3 |
| Wampum Hill Rd | |
| Warncke | Area of #79 |
| Westport Rd | Mollbrook |
| Westport Rd | Poplar Plains Rd |
| Whipstick | Area of 153 |
| Wildwood Rd | Area of #30 |
| Wolfpit Rd | Horseshoe Rd |
UPDATE, Aug. 5, 1:30 p.m.–Gov. Ned Lamont today has declared a state of emergency in response to the widespread power outages caused by the impact of Tropical Storm Isaias on Connecticut. The declaration authorizes the governor to order certain actions that will help expedite the response.
“With more than 700,000 customers experiencing power outages, we need to take several emergency steps that will facilitate restoration,” Governor Lamont said. “I remain in consistent communication with municipal leaders and utility officials so that we can move resources to where they are most needed at this time. I continue to have regular communications with our Emergency Operations Center, which is managing both the response to this storm and our continued response to COVID-19.”
UPDATE, Aug. 5, 1 p.m.–Eversource reports 5,458 customers (72.4%) in Wilton are without power.
Two out of three Chase Bank branches are closed–Wilton Center and Georgetown are closed today due to power loss. The South Wilton branch is open.
UPDATE, Aug. 5, 9 a.m.–Eversource reports 5,415 customers (72%) in Wilton are without power.
The Wilton Library drive-thru window is closed today due to a power outage in Wilton Center. Wilton Library’s physical building is also closed. The power outage affects the library’s website and therefore the Digital Library. When power is restored, the Digital Library will be available again at www.wiltonlibrary.org.
UPDATE, Aug. 5, 6:30 a.m.–Eversource reports 71% of Wilton customers (5,343) without power.
UPDATE, Aug. 4, 10 p.m.–Slight increase in number of customers without power (4,977) so now at 66% out.
UPDATE, Aug. 4, 9:20 p.m.–Eversource outage map shows 89 outages with 4,863 customers without power (65%).
Also, according to the outage map, 93% of Weston is without power and 94% of Westport is without power.
UPDATE, Aug. 4, 9 p.m.–Statement from the Eversource spokesperson, Mitch Gross: “[The Eversource] website map is again live and accurate. We are still working to resolve issues with our automated outage-reporting systems and proactively reaching out to customers via email and phone to confirm outages. We are aware of the significant number of outages across Connecticut, we are actively working to assess the damage across the state, and we have all of our crews, as well as additional resources ready to begin restoration as soon as it is safe.
“Customers should be able to call in again to report outages at 1-800-286-2000.”
UPDATE, Aug. 4, 5:45 p.m.:–First Selectwoman Lynne Vanderslice has said she suspected that outages in Wilton are significantly underreported and that Eversource’s outage map doesn’t accurately reflect how many outages there are in Wilton. Currently, it shows that 53% of Eversource customers in Wilton are without power, while Westport and Weston each report 93% without power.
Eversource spokesman Mitch Gross told us, “We are aware of the issue customers are having and are working to resolve it as quickly as possible.”
UPDATE, Aug. 4, 5:20 p.m.: Police Report the following closures/road impacts:
Address Street / Route & Nearest Cross Street
Ambler Ln––Area of #11
Banks Dr––Area of #10
Belden Hill Rd––at Seir Hill Rd
Belden Hill Rd––at Old Farm Rd
Brandon Circle––at Liberty St
Calvin Rd––at Coley Rd
Cannon Rd––Multiple Locations
Cannon Rd––Sturges Ridge Rd
Cedar Rd––Cobbs Mill Ln
Cheesespring Rd––Area of #68
Danbury Rd – Rt 7––bet. Olmstead Hill & Seeley Rd
Drum Hill Rd–at Hidden Lake Ridge
Duck Pond Pl––Area of #12
Dudley Rd––at Spoonwood Ln
Glen Hill Rd––at Glen Hill Ln
Graenest Ridge Rd––Area of #143
Ground Pine Rd––Area of #27
Hearthstone Rd––at Belden Hill Rd
Hemmelskamp Rd––at Surrey Glen
Henry Austin––at Bhasking Ridge
Hickory Hill Rd––Area of #18
Honey Hill Rd––at Quail Ridge
Huckleberry Hill Rd––at Quiet Lake Ln
Kent Rd––at Chipmunk Ln
Linden Tree Rd––Area of #261
Mountain Rd––at Indian Hill Rd
New Canaan Rd––at Trails End
New Canaan Rd––Area of #196
Newtown Tpke––Area #278
Nod Hill Rd––bet. Ridgefield Rd-Olmstead
Nod Hill Rd––at Granite Dr.
Nod Hill Rd––at Teapot Ln
Nod Hill Rd––at Ryders
Old Boston Rd––at Saddle Ridge Rd
Old Huckleberry Hill––Area of #193
Olmstead Hill Rd––Area of #28
Olmstead Hill Rd––Area of #325
Pimpewaug Rd––at Skunk Ln
Pipers Hill Rd
Portland Ave––Area of #96
Powder Horn Hill Rd––Area of #30
Ridgefield Rd––at Middlebrook Farm Rd
Ridgefield Rd––at Signal Hill Rd S
Ridgefield Rd––at Center St
Rivergate Dr––Area of #90
Rossimur Ct
Ryders Lane
School Rd––at Kristine Lily Ln
Seir Hill Rd––Area of #143
Seir Hill Rd––at Hillcrest Pl
Sharp Hill Rd––at Raymond Ln
Spoonwood Rd––Area of #48
Stonebridge Rd––Area of #72
Sturges Ridge Rd––Area of #321
Sturges Ridge Rd––at Bhasking Ridge
Sturges Ridge Rd––at Cedar Rd
Thunderlake Rd––Area of #98
Wampum Hill Rd
Westport Rd––at Mollbrook
Westport Rd––at Poplar Plains Rd
Wolfpit Rd.––at Horseshoe Rd
UPDATE, Aug. 4, 4:50 p.m.–Update from Town Hall: “Wilton’s Eversource representative has informed the Town there are problems with their outage reporting system. Repair of the issue has been expedited. We will provide more information as it becomes available.
“Eversource is currently reporting 58% of Wilton customers are without power. That percentage is likely understated. Westport and Weston are being reported at more than 90%.”
UPDATE, Aug. 4, 4:30 p.m.–First Selectwoman Lynne Vanderslice reports that there is a reporting problem with the Eversource Outage System: “Several residents have reached out to say they are having trouble reporting outages. I just spoke with the Town’s Eversource representative. Yes, they are having problems with their outage reporting system. Repair of the issue has been expedited. Earlier today I had spoken with the representative who indicated they were prepared and all systems were in order.”
UPDATE, Aug. 4, 4 p.m.–We’re expecting additional road closures but for now here are additional photos that have been sent to us or our photographers have been able to capture.
Updated, Aug. 4, 3:45 p.m.–Current Road Closures:
| Address Street / Route | Nearest Cross Street | Tree Down | Wires Down | Broken Pole(s) | Passable |
| Y/N | Y / N | Y / N | Y/N | ||
| Sturges Ridge Rd | Area of #321 | Y | Y | N | N |
| Banks Dr | Area of #10 | N | Y | N | Y |
| Belden Hill Rd | Seir Hill Rd | Y | N | N | Y |
| Belden Hill Rd | Old Farm Rd | Y | N | N | Y |
| Brandon Circle | Liberty St | Y | N | N | N |
| Cannon Rd | Multiple Locations | Y | Y | N | Y |
| Cedar Rd | Cobbs Mill Ln | Y | Y | N | N |
| Cheesespring Rd | Area of #68 | Y | Y | N | Y |
| Danbury Rd – Rt 7 | Olmstead Hill – Seeley Rd | Y | Y | N | Y |
| Duck Pond Pl | Area of #12 | Y | N | N | Y |
| Dudley Rd | Spoonwood Ln | Y | Y | N | N |
| Ground Pine Rd | Area of #27 | Y | N | N | N |
| Grumman Hill Rd | Village Ct | Y | Y | N | N |
| Hearthstone Rd | Belden Hill Rd | N | Y | Y | N |
| Hemmelskamp Rd | Surrey Glen | Y | N | N | Y |
| Hickory Hill Rd | Area of #18 | N | Y | Y | N |
| Huckleberry Hill Rd | Quiet Lake Ln | Y | Y | N | N |
| Kent Rd | Chipmunk Ln | Y | N | N | N |
| Mountain Rd | Indian Hill Rd | Y | Y | N | N |
| New Canaan Rd | Trails End | N | Y | N | |
| New Canaan Rd | Area of #196 | Y | Y | N | Y |
| Nod Hill Rd | Ridgefield Rd-Olmstead | Y | Y | N | N |
| Olmstead Hill Rd | Area of #28 | Y | N | N | Y |
| Olmstead Hill Rd | Area of #325 | Y | N | N | N |
| Pimpewaug Rd | Skunk Ln | Y | Y | N | Y |
| Portland Ave | Area of #96 | Y | Y | N | N |
| Ridgefield Rd | Middlebrook Farm Rd | Y | N | N | Y |
| Ridgefield Rd | Signal Hill Rd S | Y | N | N | Y |
| Ridgefield Rd | Center St | N | N | Y | Y |
| Rivergate Dr | Area of #90 | Y | Y | N | N |
| School Rd | Kristine Lily Ln | Y | Y | N | Y |
| Sear Hill Rd | Area of #143 | Y | Y | N | Y |
| Sharp Hill Rd | Raymond Ln | Y | N | N | Y |
| Westport Rd | Mollbrook | Y | Y | N | Y |
| Wolfpit Rd | Horseshoe Rd | Y | N | N | N |
UPDATED, Aug. 4, 3:30 p.m.–Eversource is reporting 92 outages in Wilton with 4,336 customers currently without power. That’s 57% of Eversource customers in town.
BOARD OF EDUCATION Cancels Meeting
UPDATED, Aug. 4, 3 p.m.–The Board of Education meeting scheduled for tonight has been canceled. It has been reschedule for Thursday, Aug. 6.
Closures: The Village Market has closed for today, sending employees home for safety, according to owner Tim Dolnier.
UPDATED, Aug. 4, 3 p.m.–Current Road closures:
| Address Street / Route | Nearest Cross Street | Tree Down | Wires Down | Broken Pole(s) | Passable |
| Y/N | Y / N | Y / N | Y/N | ||
| Sturges Ridge Rd | Area of #321 | Y | Y | N | N |
| Grumman Hill Rd | Village Ct | Y | Y | N | N |
| Wolfpit Rd | Horseshoe Rd | Y | N | N | N |
| Belden Hill Rd | Seir Hill Rd | Y | N | N | Y |
| Kent Rd | Chipmunk Ln | Y | N | N | N |
| Ridgefield Rd | Middlebrook Farm Rd | Y | N | N | Y |
| Ridgefield Rd | Signal Hill Rd S | Y | N | N | Y |
| Olmstead Hill Rd | Area of #28 | Y | N | N | Y |
| Belden Hill Rd | Old Farm Rd | Y | N | N | Y |
| Portland Ave | Area of #96 | Y | Y | N | N |
| Westport Rd | Mollbrook | Y | Y | N | Y |
| Danbury Rd – Rt 7 | Olmstead Hill – Seeley Rd | Y | Y | N | Y |
| Sharp Hill Rd | Raymond Ln | Y | N | N | Y |
| Brandon Circle | Liberty St | Y | N | N | N |
| Nod Hill Rd | Ridgefield Rd-Olmstead | Y | Y | N | N |
| Cannon Rd | Multiple Locations | Y | Y | N | Y |
| Huckleberry Hill Rd | Quiet Lake Ln | Y | Y | N | N |
| New Canaan Rd | Trails End | N | Y | N | |
| Hemmelskamp Rd | Surrey Glen | Y | N | N | Y |
| Hearthstone Rd | Belden Hill Rd | N | Y | Y | N |
UPDATED, Aug. 4, 2:45 p.m.–We’re hearing reports of trees down on:
Brandon Ct.
Borglum Rd.
Wolfpit Rd.
Rivergate Dr.
UPDATED, Aug. 4, 2:15 p.m.–Roads currently reported closed by the Wilton Police:
Sturges Ridge Rd.: Area of #321
Grumman Hill Rd.: at Village Ct.
Wolfpit Rd.: near Range Rd. and Horseshoe Pond Rd.
UPDATED, Aug. 4, 2 P.M.–Eversource is reporting 34 outages in Wilton with 564 customers out of power.
Number of Outages: 34
Customers Out: 693
Customers Served:7,532
UPDATED, AUG. 4, 1:45 P.M.–The National Weather Service has issued a Tornado Warning for Wilton until 2:15 p.m. At 1:38 PM a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located near Norwalk, moving north at 70 mph. (SOURCE…Radar indicated rotation. Storm will be near:
New Canaan and Wilton around 145 PM EDT.
Ridgefield and Weston around 150 PM EDT.
Redding around 155 PM EDT.
Danbury and Bethel around 200 PM EDT.
Brookfield around 205 PM EDT.
New Fairfield around 210 PM EDT.
Sherman around 215 PM EDT.
Town Hall Changes
The Town of Wilton has suspended all Town Hall dropbox services as of 1 p.m. Tomorrow, services are expected to return to normal hours.
Please use 9-1-1 to report a storm-related emergency.
Please use SeeClickFix for any non-emergency tree damage.
When clearing downed trees or branches, road crews push the debris to the side of the road to be retrieved later.
To be informed about road closings, please sign up for the Police Department’s urgent e-alerts. To be informed about power outages, please sign up for Eversource e-alerts or view their outage map.
UPDATED, AUG. 4, 1 P.M.–Wilton Library is closing its drive-thru window at 1 p.m. today, Aug. 4, due to the dangerously high winds expected with the tropical storm. Community members are asked to visit the library’s website for updates and to access the Digital Library.
UPDATED, AUG. 4, 7:20 A.M.–A tornado watch is in effect until 4 p.m. for Fairfield County.
UPDATED, AUG. 4, 7:15 A.M.–Tropical Storm Isaias, located in inland Virginia, will continue to move to north-northeast this morning along the Mid-Atlantic coast, bringing with it heavy rainfall, strong winds, minor to moderate coastal flooding, along with high surf and dangerous rip currents. Additionally, a few tornadoes are possible.
Tropical Storm Force sustained winds are expected, with the highest threat in the NYC/NJ metro region and along the coast. Connecticut could see tropical-storm-force winds as early as early Tuesday morning and likely early Tuesday afternoon.
There is also a flash flood watch in effect for New York City, northeast New Jersey, the Lower Hudson Valley, and southwest Connecticut (Fairfield County).
Isaias will slowly weaken as it accelerates northeast today, likely moving over our area this afternoon and evening. However, confidence continues to increase with respect to the magnitude of local hazards and impacts.
Locally heavy rainfall is expected with a widespread 1-3 inches, with localized amounts up to 5 inches possible. The heaviest rain is most likely to occur across New York City, Northeast New Jersey, and the Lower Hudson Valley this morning through this evening, and eastern sections this afternoon into tonight. The strongest winds are likely to occur across New York City Metro, Long Island, northeast New Jersey, southern portions of the Lower Hudson Valley, and southeast Connecticut. Dangerous marine conditions are likely across all of the coastal waters today and tonight. High surf and dangerous rip currents are expected to continue along the ocean beaches Today through Wednesday.
The effects from Tropical Storm Isaias are expected to diminish quickly from southwest to northeast across the area late tonight into Wednesday morning.
UPDATED, AUG. 3, 2:30 P.M.–The CT Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection issued an update on the expected impact of Tropical Storm Isaias, from the National Hurricane Center forecast.
Tropical Storm Isaias is forecasted to become a hurricane before making landfall in the Carolinas tonight. The Tropical Storm Warnings have been expanded to the rest of Connecticut and Massachusetts.
Isaias has maximum sustained winds of 70 mph and is moving to the north at 13 mph. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) is still forecasting that Isaias will become a hurricane again prior to making landfall just before midnight tonight near the NC/SC border.
After landfall Isaias is forecast to weaken back down to a tropical storm and move quickly up the U.S. east coast during the day on Tuesday. The center of Isaias is now forecast to make its closest approach (just west of the State) at approximately 6 p.m. on Tuesday evening.
Tropical-storm-force winds are expected to arrive a few hours sooner at approximately 3 p.m. Tuesday afternoon. The latest run of the NAM-HRES model indicates that the tropical storm is going to still be packing gusts to 68 mph when it arrives.
On the official forecast track CT can expect tropical storm conditions with sustained winds of 50-60 mph and gusts in the 60-70 MPH range Tuesday afternoon and evening. The most likely timing for the tropical-storm-force winds is still from 3-9 p.m. Tuesday.
This timing may continue to change by a few hours as the time of impact gets closer. The primary threat from Isaias still appears to be from strong winds. Based on the current NHC forecast Wilton can expect a high-end, moderate to borderline major impact to trees and powerlines. As with all dying tropical systems there is also the risk for a few weak tornadoes to occur. The tropical storm will also be accompanied by some heavy rain of 2” – 4” especially in western CT. Minor to moderate urban flooding is possible. The new earlier arrival timing brings the strongest winds into the coast at low tide. Therefore, only minor coastal flooding is expected which may inundate a few low lying coastal roads with wave splash over but no structures.
ORIGINAL STORY, AUG. 2, 9:51 P.M.–The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Tropical Storm Watch for Wilton and Fairfield County as Tropical Storm Isaias is anticipated to impact the area sometime Tuesday or Tuesday evening, Aug. 4.
As of Sunday evening, the storm was located about 1,000 miles south of New York City, off the coast of East-Central Florida, carrying 70 mph winds as it moves north. It will continue to move north on Monday along the Southeastern US Coast, and then weaken slowly as it accelerates and curves northeast over the Carolinas Tuesday morning, then over the New York metropolitan area by Tuesday evening.
According to the NWS, there is still some timing and intensity uncertainty with this storm. However, confidence is increasing with respect to the magnitude of local hazards and impacts.
The main threats with this system are expected to involve locally heavy rainfall, strong winds, minor-to-moderate coastal flooding, along with high surf and dangerous rip currents.
Locally heavy rain is expected with a widespread 2-to-4 inches likely, with localized amounts up to 6 inches possible. The heavy rain is most likely to occur across western parts of the area from late Monday night through Tuesday night, and eastern sections Tuesday into Tuesday night. The strongest winds are likely to occur across coastal sections late in the day Tuesday into Tuesday evening. There is a moderate potential for coastal flood inundation of one- to two feet above ground level, with a low potential for up to three feet, for the most vulnerable shoreline and coastal locations.
Dangerous marine conditions are likely across all of the coastal waters Tuesday and Tuesday night. High surf and dangerous rip currents are expected along the ocean beaches Monday through Wednesday.
The effects from Tropical Storm Isaias are then expected to diminish quickly from southwest to northeast across the area late Tuesday night into Wednesday morning.
Strong Winds Expected
A Tropical Storm Watch means tropical-storm-force winds are possible somewhere within this area within the next 48 hours.
For Wilton and Fairfield County: Equivalent Tropical Storm force wind, with a peak wind forecast of 35-45 mph with gusts to 60 mph, on Tuesday afternoon until early Wednesday morning
Residents are being warned to prepare for strong winds having possible significant impacts across the entire area, especially south-facing shorelines. Potential impacts in this area include:
- Some damage to roofing and siding materials is possible. Some damage to mobile homes is possible, especially if unanchored. Unsecured lightweight objects become dangerous projectiles.
- Several large trees snapped or uprooted. Some fences and roadway signs blown over.
- Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban or heavily wooded places. A few bridges, causeways, and access routes impassable.
- Scattered power and communications outages, but more prevalent in areas with above-ground lines.
The NWS also cautions residents to prepare for the possibility of a limited tornado threat across Southeast New York, Northeast New Jersey, and Southern Connecticut.
The Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Bronx, Eastern Bergen, Eastern Essex, Eastern Passaic, Eastern Union, Hudson, Kings (Brooklyn), New York (Manhattan), Northeastern Suffolk, Northern Fairfield, Northern Middlesex, Northern Nassau, Northern New Haven, Northern New London, Northern Queens, Northern Westchester, Northwestern Suffolk, Richmond (Staten Island), Rockland, Southeastern Suffolk, Southern Fairfield, Southern Middlesex, Southern Nassau, Southern New Haven, Southern New London, Southern Queens, Southern Westchester, Southwestern Suffolk, Western Bergen, Western Essex, Western Passaic, and Western Union counties.