Connecticut - Hurricane Henri August 21, 2021 - Live and Work Well

Connecticut – Hurricane Henri
                               August 21, 2021

The Office of Governor Ned Lamont
210 Capitol Ave
Hartford, CT 06106
(860) 566-4840
Toll-Free: 800-406-1527
https://portal.ct.gov/Office-of-the-Governor
https://www.facebook.com/GovNedLamont
https://twitter.com/GovNedLamont

08/20/2021:

Governor Lamont Declaring State of Emergency in Advance of Tropical Storm Henri
Governor Orders Activation of the State Emergency Operations Center
(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that as Tropical Storm
Henri is projected to move toward Connecticut in the coming days and strengthen to a
hurricane before making landfall, he will be requesting a presidential pre-landfall
emergency declaration to provide the state with federal assistance in anticipation of the
impacts of the storm. Additionally, the governor will be issuing a declaration of civil
preparedness emergency to enable the state to take any actions necessary to protect
the health and wellbeing of the people of Connecticut.

The governor has directed the Connecticut State Emergency Operations Center to
become partially activated on Saturday, August 21, and fully activated by the morning of
Sunday, August 22. It will be staffed by representatives of the relevant state agencies,
in addition to utility company representatives, in order to monitor and manage any
issues that may arise as a result of the storm.

At the order of Governor Lamont, Major General Francis Evon, Adjutant General and
Commander of the Connecticut National Guard, is calling 200 Guardsmen and women
to state active duty beginning on Saturday morning to prepare teams and specialized
equipment in support of the state’s response. Expected missions include high-wheeled
vehicle search and rescue, route clearance, power generation, and commodities
distribution, but may shift depending on the actual impact of the storm.

Earlier today, Governor Lamont spoke via telephone with Deanne Criswell,
administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and Paul Ford,
FEMA’s acting regional administrator for New England, to discuss preparedness efforts.
The federal officials pledged assistance and resources to support Connecticut’s
response and anticipated recovery from the storm.

This afternoon, Governor Lamont organized a statewide conference call between state
emergency management officials and municipal representatives to coordinate
preparedness activities among the state and local levels.

Current forecasts project that the storm will become a Category 1 hurricane on Saturday
morning, and then make landfall on Sunday evening near the area of Stonington,
Connecticut, along the Rhode Island border. As of this afternoon, the National Weather
Service has issued hurricane watches for New London, Middlesex, and New Haven
Counties. A tropical storm watch has been issued for Fairfield County. Additional
watches and warnings are anticipated.

“With the current forecasted track of Henri, we can expect heavy rainfall and high winds,
with the potential for a significant amount of coastal flooding and urban flooding across
Connecticut,” Governor Lamont said. “Right now, it’s a good idea for everyone to be
prepared and expect to shelter in place by Sunday afternoon through at least Monday
morning. We’ll continue to monitor the storm’s progress and will provide updates as
necessary.”

“We’ve learned from Super Storm Sandy and Hurricane Irene that preparation at
staging areas ahead of the storm making landfall is key to a quick and effective
response,” Major General Evon said. “We are standing by to support the state and the
lead agencies however we can and we will be prepared to bring in additional
Guardsmen and resources if asked to do so.”

The following list includes some hurricane preparedness tips:

Recommended items to include in a basic emergency supply kit

One gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and
sanitation
At least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and
extra batteries for both
Flashlight and extra batteries
First aid kit
A whistle to signal for help
Garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
A manual can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
Local maps
Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger
Food and litter requirements for any pets
Medicine or any special need items, including diapers for infants
Cleaning supplies that disinfect for COVID-19 and face masks should they be needed at
a shelter

Family emergency plan

Be sure you and family members are aware of local shelter locations and your
evacuation zone, especially if you live along the shoreline.
Identify an out-of-town contact. It may be easier to make a long-distance phone call
than to call across town, so an out-of-town contact may be in a better position to
communicate among separated family members.

Be sure every member of your family knows the phone number and has a cell phone,
coins, or a prepaid phone card to call the emergency contact.

Plan ahead and pre-set a family group text conversation in your phones. Text messages
can often get around network disruptions when a phone call might not be able to get
through, and it uses less battery life.

Subscribe to alert services through CTAlert. Go to www.ct.gov/ctalert to register.
Connecticut residents are encouraged to download the state’s CTPrepares app for
mobile devices. The app, which can be downloaded at no charge from the Apple iTunes
store and the Google Play store, provides information that is useful in emergency
situations and gives preparedness tips in advance of an emergency.

Connecticut State Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security
1111 Country Club Rd.
Middletown, CT 06457
(860) 685-8531
(860) 685-8190
https://portal.ct.gov/DEMHS
https://twitter.com/CTDEMHS

Storm Information: https://portal.ct.gov/CTPrepares

HENRI BECOMES A HURRICANE…LATEST TRACK
SLIGHTLY TO THE EAST WITH A LANDFALL EXPECTED
NEAR MADISON, AT 8:00 PM SUNDAY EVENING…
Posted 8/21/2021

EXWU0044 - Full Weather Report

HENRI BECOMES A HURRICANE…LATEST TRACK SLIGHTLY TO THE EAST
WITH A LANDFALL EXPECTED NEAR MADISON, AT 8:00 PM SUNDAY
EVENING…

At 11:00 AM Hurricane Henri was located at Lat. 34.4 North Long. 72.5 West or
approximately 465 miles south of Montauk Point, Long Island. Henri is moving to the
north northeast at 14 MPH with maximum sustained winds of 75 MPH.

For this afternoon, Henri is forecast to continue moving up the U.S. east coast,
remaining 200 – 300 miles off-shore. Henri is forecast to continue to strengthen
gradually this afternoon as the storm crosses the warm gulf stream waters east of the
Carolina’s and Virginia. The first effects of Henri are now expected to begin between
6:00 - 10:00 AM Sunday morning. Wind and rain are expected to steadily increase
during the late morning and thru the afternoon. Henri is forecast to make landfall near
Madison, CT Sunday evening between 6:00 – 7:00 PM as a strong tropical storm with
sustained winds of 70 MPH and gusts to 85 MPH.

Moderate to Major Coastal Flooding Expected: High tide on Sunday occurs in New
London at 9:49 AM and 10:10 PM and in Bridgeport at 11:52 AM and 12:10 AM Monday
morning. A storm surge of 3 feet is expected to cause high end moderate flooding
along the west coast (west of the storm track) for the evening high tides. Major flooding
is possible east of the storm track along the central and southeastern coast with storm
surges of up to 5 feet.

Moderate River and Major Urban Flooding Expected: Henri is forecast to bring 4” –
8”+ of rainfall to the entire state which will likely cause moderate to major urban flooding
and moderate river and stream flooding Sunday afternoon and evening.

Moderate to Major Tree and Powerline Damage Expected: Winds may gust to 65 –
85 MPH at times in south central and southeastern CT Sunday afternoon and evening
with wind gusts of 40 – 60 MPH across the rest of the state. These wind speeds could
cause major tree and powerline damage across the state.

Evacuation Timing Report: Please see the attached evacuation timing report from
Hurrevac. This report is provided in the event that evacuations along the coast become
necessary. Towns are encouraged to begin any evacuations in daylight even if
the evacuation start time is later.

The Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Division of Emergency
Management and Homeland Security will continue to closely monitor the progress of
Henri.

The next update on Henri will be sent out at 5:15 PM this afternoon.

The American Red Cross of Connecticut
209 Farmington Ave.
Farmington, CT 06032
(877) 287-3327
https://www.redcross.org/local/connecticut.html
https://www.facebook.com/CTRedCross
https://twitter.com/CTRedCross

Bridgeport Office
58 Brooklawn Avenue
Bridgeport, CT 06604

Darien Office
39 Leroy Ave.
Darien, CT 06820

Milford Office
1 Plymouth Place
Milford, CT 06460

Southbury Office
385 Main St. South Suite 214
Southbury, CT
06488

Montville Office
1031 Rte 32
Uncasville, CT 06382

To locate an open shelter: https://www.redcross.org/get-help/disaster-relief-and-
recovery-services/find-an-open-shelter.html

      Open Shelters: None listed.

Connecticut Department of Transportation
2800 Berlin Turnpike
P.O. Box 317546
Newington, CT 06131-7546
(860) 594-2000
https://portal.ct.gov/DOT
https://portal.ct.gov/DOT/IT/Travel-Gateway
Real time traffic alerts: https://twitter.com/CTDOT_Statewide
Connecticut Traffic Cameras:
https://cttravelsmart.org/cctv?start=0&length=10&order%5Bi%5D=0&order%5Bdir%5D=
asc

United Way/211 Information and Referrals Lines
These information and referral lines may know of additional resources currently
providing assistance, such as food pantries, clothing closets, emergency shelters, and
agencies offering financial assistance. Please call and provide your zip code and
demographic information in order to receive referrals.

https://www.211ct.org/
Dial 2-1-1 or 1 (800) 203-1234.
Dial

NATIONAL RESOURCES:

FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (FEMA)
500 C Street SW
Washington, DC 20472
(800) 621-3362
http://www.fema.gov

Please visit the website and click on “Disaster Declarations”. If a disaster is declared,
please call to apply for assistance by phone, or visit http://www.fema.gov/apply-
assistance to apply online.

DISASTERASSISTANCE.GOV
https://www.disasterassistance.gov

Offers information about local resources for disasters, including: FEMA Disaster
Recovery Centers (DRCs), Red Cross, food, shelter, state emergency management
agencies, and hospital locators.
To determine if individual disaster assistance is available through FEMA, please visit
the website and enter the address.
To locate your local state emergency management agency for disaster information and
updates, please visit http://www.fema.gov/emergency-management-agencies

AMERICAN RED CROSS NATIONAL
National Headquarters
2025 East Street, NW
Washington, DC 20006
(202) 303-4498 or (800) 733-2767
http://www.redcross.org

Please call or visit the website to locate your local chapter and open shelters.

AMERICAN RED CROSS SAFE AND WELL LIST
https://safeandwell.communityos.org/cms/index.php
Residents affected can notify their friends and family that they are safe by visiting the
website and selecting “List Myself as Safe and Well.” Individuals can also search for
loved ones by selecting “Search Registrants.”

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
Weather alerts by state are available at http://www.weather.gov/alerts.

THE WEATHER CHANNEL
Local forecasts and severe weather alerts, available at http://www.weather.com.

NATIONAL TRAFFIC AND ROAD CLOSURE INFORMATION
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/trafficinfo

SAFE TRAVEL USA
http://www.safetravelusa.com

Free Help Line: Optum, a leading health and behavioral health services company, is
offering a free emotional-support help line.

The toll-free number, 866-342-6892, will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week,
for as long as necessary. The service is free of charge and open to anyone. Specially
trained Optum mental health specialists help people manage their stress and anxiety so
they can continue to address their everyday needs. Callers may also receive referrals to
community resources to help them with specific concerns, including financial and legal
matters.

Along with the toll-free help line, emotional-support resources and information are
available online at https://www.liveandworkwell.com