Category: Local News

The City of Bridgeport EOC is monitoring the potential storm tracks for tonight into tomorrow, especially with the slight risk of Flash Flooding. Here is an update concerning the flash flooding threat for late tonight and Friday morning.

 

As low pressure approaches from the Mid-Atlantic region late tonight and passes over or just south of New York City and Long  Island on Friday, rain could become heavy at times from latetonight into Friday morning. Rainfall of at least 3/4″ to 1 inch is expected, with locally higher amounts up to 2 inches. Isolated higher amounts are possible if training of any heavier showers occurs over the same area.

 

Overview:

 

WHAT:  SLIGHT RISK of Flash Flooding

WHERE: Northeast New Jersey, Lower Hudson Valley, Southern CT and Parts of Long Island

WHEN:  Late tonight and Friday Morning

 

Potential Hazards and Impacts:

 

Flash Flooding: A basin average rainfall of 3/4″ to 1″ is expected with up to 2″ possible in localized spots .  There is still some uncertainty as to where the heaviest rainfall bands will set up, so not all places within the watch area may experience flooding. However, it will not take much additional rainfall to cause flooding in locations hard hit on Tuesday, and the heavier rainfall rates and total amounts could cause urban and highway flooding during the Friday morning rush.  Minor small stream flooding is also possible, especially along small streams in northeast New Jersey.

• Rainfall rates of 1/2 to 1 inches/hr are possible
• Locally heavy rainfall will lead to areas of urban and poor drainage flooding.
• Minor flooding along quick responding rivers/streams is possible.
• Isolated thunderstorms moving over the same area will result in flash flooding.

A Flash Flood Watch is in Effect..

The graphic below depicts the expected rainfall with this event…

CONFIDENCE OR FORECAST SCENARIOS:

There is moderate confidence in showers and thunderstorms developing tonight, but it is uncertain how widespread the threat for flash flooding will be.  Any heavy rain that falls over already saturated ground increases the potential for Flash Flooding.

 

We urge all residents in low-lying and poor drainage areas to keep a close eye on the weather updates and if possible to move their vehicles to a higher location just to be safe. Rainfall amounts are not expected to be in the range of Tuesday’s event however; with the ground and water tables higher there still is a chance for flooding so please stay safe and prepared.

 

WETHERSFIELD – The Department of Motor Vehicles and Travelers announced today their joint sponsorship of the 11th annual teen safe driving video contest for high school students around the state.  This year’s theme focuses on peer-to-peer collaboration to increase driving safety.  The teen-to-teen collaborative theme for this year’s video contest is: “Wait – what can WE do?”

“This contest continues to engage high school students and empower them to use their creativity and talents to deliver an important peer safety message through the power of video,” DMV Commissioner Michael Bzdyra said.  “We look forward to seeing their videos come to life and spread the word to young drivers about road safety and their responsibility behind the wheel.”

Young drivers account for a disproportionate number of motor vehicle crashes and these crashes are the leading cause of death for this age group.  The risk of motor vehicle crashes is higher among 16-to 19-year-olds than among any other age group. In fact, per mile driven, teen drivers are nearly three times more likely than drivers aged 20 and older to be in a fatal crash, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

DMV and Travelers partner each year to raise driving safety awareness among the state’s youngest and most inexperienced drivers. The goal is to influence peer-to-peer interactions to promote safer driving habits.

Travelers will award up to $26,000 in cash prizes to the winning students and their high schools.  The contest is open to all public, private and home-schooled high school students in Connecticut and the deadline for submissions is December 17, 2018.

“Travelers is committed to educating consumers about the importance of staying focused behind the wheel, and we are proud to continue to sponsor the Connecticut DMV Safe Driving Video Contest,” said Michael Klein, Executive Vice President, and President of Personal Insurance at Travelers. “Through initiatives like this one, teens are empowering each other to speak up when they see a friend driving dangerously, which can help make Connecticut’s roads safer for everyone.”

A group of 13 student advisors to the Connecticut DMV helped create the theme “Wait – what can WE do?” to foster proactive group decision-making.  Video submissions should highlight interactions between the driver and other teens to take pause and illustrate ways to practice safer driving habits while obeying Connecticut’s teen driving laws.

Student advisors who worked on the project are Ryan Bair of Newington High School; Anna Bonaiuto, Alanna Rodinone and Alyssa Rodinone all of Mercy High School; Michael Dellaripa and Connor Silbo both of Xavier High School; Samantha Getsie of Berlin High School; Samantha DeFrance, Brandon Parker and David Sands all of Middletown High School; Esha Shrivastav of Kingswood-Oxford in West Hartford; Will Carson of Conard High School in West Hartford; Michael Torres of Northwest Catholic, and Evan Wolkner of Farmington High School.

Since the contest began, nearly 4,000 students across the state have participated, representing more than 100 high schools. More information about the contest can be found at https://ct.gov/teendriving/contest

Past contest winners can be found on YouTube at: http://www.youtube.com/teensafedriving12

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(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy today announced that ten Connecticut National Guard soldiers are anticipated to arrive in Tennessee this afternoon aboard UH-60 Blackhawk and CH-47 Chinook helicopters to support those in need in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Florence, which is anticipated to hit the southeast United States later this week.  The crew and equipment will stage in the area to help cut down on the response time required to provide assistance.

“In Connecticut, we know how firsthand what it’s like to experience extraordinary weather events, and we know how important the help of neighbors can be during recovery,” Governor Malloy said.  “The men and women of the Connecticut National Guard are among the most well-trained and well-prepared in the country, and I thank them for dropping everything at a moment’s notice so that we can assist our neighbors to our south with what is looking like will become a devastating situation.”

“As our country anxiously waits to see Hurricane Florence make landfall in the Carolinas, I’m proud that Connecticut has sent some of our National Guardsmen and aircrafts to assist with this colossal storm,” Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman said.  “We wish our troops and everyone aiding in relief efforts Godspeed and a safe journey home.  We will continue to keep the Carolinas and surrounding areas in our thoughts and prayers during Hurricane Florence.”

“I wish our Guardsmen a safe journey and the best of luck as they head south to support fellow Americans who may be in need,” Major General Francis J. Evon Jr., Adjutant General of the Connecticut National Guard, said.  “The Connecticut National Guard is well versed in relief operations, and I thank each and every one of our members departing today for their service and selflessness to leave at a moment’s notice to be a part of this mission.”

Both the UH-60 Blackhawk and the CH-47 Chinook are transport helicopters capable of moving personnel or equipment.  A Blackhawk can seat up to a dozen passengers, and a Chinook is capable of carrying over 30 passengers, not including crew.

 

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Congressman Himes, who has been critical with the Trump Administration said in March that tariffs were “backward-looking,” and said other nations are moving in the opposite direction – toward free trade celebrated a tariff of his own.  He issued this press release:

The United States International Trade Commission overturned tariffs on Canadian newsprint. The tariffs, some of which were as high as 20 percent, drove up costs for newspapers across the country, especially affecting smaller and local papers without the budget cushion to absorb such a massive increase. The Commission found that imports of Canadian newsprint did not actually harm American producers.

“These tariffs were putatively imposed to help American paper companies, many of whom had already switched from newsprint to cardboard production as the demand for boxes from companies like Amazon grew,” said Congressman Jim Himes (CT-04).  “The result was that there was little benefit, while the harm extended to our local newspapers, the reporters and staff they employee, and the communities they serve. From a perspective of helping American business, these tariffs made no sense. That’s why I cosponsored the PRINT Act, which would have overturned them. Fortunately, we raised our voices loud enough and better arguments won the day.”

“The tariffs weren’t just about dollars and cents, but about making sure the American public has access to a diverse array of voices about the issues and events that matter in their daily lives,” said Andrew S. Julien, publisher and editor-in-chief at the Hartford Courant and vice president of the Connecticut Daily Newspaper Association.

“We’re very appreciative of the members of Congress, especially the Connecticut delegation, who helped to lift the newsprint tariffs that would’ve placed an onerous burden on all print media,” said Paul Barbetta, president and publisher of the Hearst Connecticut Media Group. “By alleviating this undue tariff, our elected representatives demonstrated their support for all newspapers to fulfill their mission of covering the communities they serve.”

“When it comes to supporting local businesses and industries, it seems like this administration is all sizzle and no steak,” continued Himes. “I think the President saw an opportunity here to take a shot at Canada and newspapers, two of his perceived antagonists, with one action and did so without regard for the actual effects on our communities or economy. That’s a disastrous way to determine trade policy. We need to do the hard work, enact thoughtful policies that help businesses and keep people employed. That always has to be the number one priority.”

 

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HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy is advising Connecticut residents, particularly those who are most vulnerable, to take precautions ahead of the high temperature conditions that are expected to impact the state through Wednesday.  The National Weather Service has issued an Excessive Heat Warning for Hartford County for Tuesday and Heat Advisories for the rest of the state for Tuesday and Wednesday.

Those who are looking for a place to get out of the heat can locate their nearest cooling center by calling 2-1-1.

“A few steps can greatly reduce heat-related issues, especially for the elderly, the very young and people with respiratory ailments who are more susceptible to the effects of high temperatures,” Governor Malloy said.  “Any resident looking for a place to cool off should call 2-1-1 to find out where their closest cooling center is located.”

Although anyone can suffer from heat-related illness, some people are at greater risk than others:

• Infants and young children are sensitive to the effects of high temperatures and rely on others to regulate their environments and provide adequate liquids.
• People 65 years of age or older may not compensate for heat stress efficiently and are less likely to sense and respond to change in temperature.
• People who are overweight may be prone to heat sickness because of their tendency to retain more body heat.
• People who overexert during work or exercise may become dehydrated and susceptible to heat sickness.
• People who are physically ill, especially those with heart disease or high blood pressure, or who take certain medications, such as for depression, insomnia, or poor circulation, may be affected by extreme heat.

Some prevention tips to stay safe in extreme heat include:

Stay Cool: Keep your body temperature cool to avoid heat-related illness

 

• Stay in air-conditioned buildings as much as possible. If you must be outdoors, try to limit your outdoor activity to the morning and evening. Try to rest often in shady areas so that your body has a chance to cool off.
• Find an air-conditioned shelter. (Call 2-1-1 for a list of cooling centers). Do not rely on a fan as your primary cooling device.
• Avoid direct sunlight.
• Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing.
• Take cool showers or baths.
• Check on those most at-risk several times a day.
• Pets that cannot be brought indoors should be provided ready access to water and shade to keep them cool.

Stay Hydrated: Because your body loses fluids through sweat, you can become dehydrated during times of extreme heat

 

• Drink more water than usual.
• Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink more fluids.
• Drink from two to four cups of water every hour while working or exercising outside.
• Avoid alcohol or liquids containing high amounts of sugar.
• Remind others to drink enough water.

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Text-to-911 is now available in Connecticut. To use Text-to-911, enter the numbers “911” in the “to” or “recipient” field …on a mobile phone or other handheld device. Text a brief message that includes the location of the emergency and what services are needed (police, fire, ambulance). After that, answer questions and follow instructions from the 9-1-1 call center.

The Town of Fairfield’s Emergency Communications Center is fully operational for your voice or text request for service.

For more information on the Text-to-911 system and to see a demonstration of the capability, visit www.Text911CT.org

 

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