Weather James Bairaktaris Weather James Bairaktaris

Full Report: Winter Storm Warning Begins at Midnight; NWS Increases Snow Totals; Tuesday Snow Day Probable 

From the National Weather Service, New York City -  01/31-19:00 Update

Winter Storm Warning: Effective 12:00 AM Monday - 6:00 AM Tuesday. Heavy Snow Expected. 

  • Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 14 to 20 inches. Winds gusting as high as 50 mph.
  • Travel will be very difficult to impossible. Blizzard like conditions possible Monday afternoon, especially near the coast.
  • 100% Chance of 8 or more inches of snow 
  • 96% Chance of 12 or more inches of snow
  • 32% Chance of 18 or more inches of snow

The Editor’s Take

Meteorologists are predicting that the winter weather will begin in Westport sometime after 1:00 AM Monday morning, and will continue through Tuesday morning. A 100% chance of snow will cover Westport until late tomorrow night, with a 60% chance of light snow remaining through the entire day on Tuesday until early Wednesday morning. The possibility of Tuesday school cancellations are probable. The Westport Emergency Operation Center has been opened partially to assist in managing all emergencies arising throughout the duration of the storm, according to First Selectman Jim Marpe.

By this time tomorrow, our community may be covered in over one foot of snow, and could experience power outages, coastal flooding at high tides, and a significant impact to roadways and highways.

Westport and other coastal communities may bear the brunt of this storm, according to the NWS. Snow totals are being forecasted as no less than 10 inches, with the possibility to reach towards 18 inches, as temperatures are confirmed as non-fluctuating - making this an all-snow event without rain or sleet.

It appears that the storm’s peak will be during the daylight hours tomorrow. During this time period, we’ll see the strongest wind gusts and the heaviest snowfall, with blizzard condition possible in the afternoon hours.

Residents are reminded to stay off of the roads, make sure all electronics are fully charged (including flashlights and phones), assure sump pumps are in working order, check that any loose outdoor decoration or furniture is secured, and prepare to keep doorways into homes clear of snow in case of emergencies. Residents should check on elderly or immobile neighbors for all of the above while remaining socially distant. Residents should also assure their phones are registered to receive emergency text or phone messages from the Town of Westport by texting “06880” to 888777, or by visiting the website: Town of Westport Emergency Notifications.

Children are reminded to make sure that their favorite movies are downloaded onto their tablets, snow gear is washed and dried from the last storm, snow sleds are in the car, and that there’s no virtual school - so enjoy the true snow day.

Numbers to Know:

Emergency: 911

Eversource: Report a power outage: text “OUT” to 23129; call 800-286-2000; online www.eversource.com/CustomerCare/ReportOutage.

Westport Police: Non-Emergency: 203-341-6000

Westport Fire Department: Non-Emergency: 203-341-5000

Westport Public Schools: Emergency Line: 203-341-1766

Westport Department of Human Services: Social Services: 203-341-1050

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COVID-19 James Bairaktaris COVID-19 James Bairaktaris

Sunday COVID-19 Summary: State Positivity Rates, Hospitalizations Down; Westport Numbers Remain Similar

This summary includes the total cases, deaths, and current hospitalizations in our town, county, and state.

The State does not publish any data on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday - so this summary does not include any information collected on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.

Data from the past three days will be published cumulatively in tomorrow evening’s daily update.

All data comes from Connecticut Open Data portal. Numbers as of 01/28/21:

Westport:

  • 1,241 positive or probable cases (total) +69 from last week

  • 26 deaths (total) +/- 0 from last week

  • 40,696 tests (total) +1,339 from last week

Fairfield County:

  • 72,026 positive or probable cases (total) +2,961 from last week

  • 1,982 Deaths (total) +46 from last week

  • 253 currently hospitalized; +3 from last week (as of 01/28/21)

Connecticut:

  • 250,023 positive or probable cases +12,208 from last week(total)

  • 7,046 deaths + 227 from last week (total)

  • 985 currently hospitalized - 113 from last week (as of 01/28/21)

State Daily Test Positivity:

  • 3.64% of COVID-19 tests administered came back positive (01/28/21)

  • DOWN from 4.93% on 01/21/21

The next update will be published tomorrow evening, and will include all data identified on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of this weekend.

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Closures, Education James Bairaktaris Closures, Education James Bairaktaris

Westport Public Schools Fully Closed Tomorrow, 02/01/21, due to Snow

Good evening Westport Families and Staff,

Due to the pending winter storm, Cooper, which is forecast to have a significant impact on Westport over the next couple of days, the Westport Public Schools will be closed on Monday, February 1, 2021. This will serve as the District’s second full snow day in which the students and staff will make up the day at the end of the school year.

The storm is projected to impact Tuesday, February 2, 2021 as well. We will monitor conditions throughout the day tomorrow and provide updates as appropriate. Should we have to close schools again on Tuesday, this day will turn into a remote learning day for all students and staff. Again, any decisions about Tuesday will be made once we can better assess the storm's impact.

The Board of Education is scheduled to meet tomorrow evening. As of the time I am writing to you this evening, the meeting is still scheduled to take place at 7:00 p.m. We have been working on backup plans throughout the day today, which may include broadcasting tomorrow night’s meeting via the Town’s website and channel 79. An update, including the manner in which the public can access tomorrow night’s meeting, will be sent out tomorrow afternoon. 

Please stay safe in the days ahead. The Town has partially opened its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in response to the storm. We will support the EOC by passing along any relevant storm information through the District’s School Messenger service, but please also be on the lookout for any direct communication from the Town as well. 

Respectfully,

 

Thomas Scarice

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Good News Only James Bairaktaris Good News Only James Bairaktaris

Ice Hockey on Round Pond

Local teens enjoyed the freezing temperatures today with a game of ice hockey on Round Pond Road.

The Westport Local Press does not advise using any frozen body of water unless confirmed safe, and does not confirm the safety of any body of water.

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James Bairaktaris James Bairaktaris

Sleds for the Kids, Gas Can for the Generator

Westporter Jonathan Whitbourne prepares for tomorrow’s storm by picking up some sleds for kids kids, and a spare gas can for his generator. “It’s nice to be able to sled after several years without much snow” he commented as he left the busy locally owned hardware store.

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