Hurricane Sandy is slated to affect Connecticut as early as Sunday night. Please see below for a detailed forecast for Madison, and for the latest as of 11 p.m. Saturday from the National Hurricane Center.
There are a few steps you can take right now to be prepared for a major storm, especially if the power goes out in your area:
- Go to CT Alert ENS and sign up for the alerts in your town.
- Decide whether you are going to stay or go. In Madison, town officials have declared a civil preparedness state of emergency as of noon on Monday. They may be ordering evacuations. Please heed these. If you live south of the Boston Post Road in a vulnerable area, figure out where you can go and what you need to take.
- If you're staying, you might be on your own for a while. Figure out what you need to survive on your own for a few days. Some say three days worth of supplies, other say up to a week.
- Get the Patch app on your phone to stay updated with all news, updates and emergency notifications. The free app for your iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad can be downloaded here.
- Bookmark our Your Guide To Sandy 2012 page, and check back often for updates
- Friend Madison Patch on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. We'll want to hear from you during the storm, and these are two great ways to communicate with us. Also, you are welcome to send any updates and photos to pem.mcnerney@patch.com.
- Charge all of your electronics.
- Fill your car with gasoline (gas stations may be closed after the storm).
- If you don't have them already, purchase batteries, a battery-operated radio, and flashlights.
- Get extra medications and/or refills for all families members filled now at the pharmacy.
- Stock up on any baby items such as formula and diapers.
- Have plenty of drinking water for all members of the family. Fill extra containers now from the tap. If you have a well, fill an extra bathtub with water.
- Have sufficient non-perishable food on hand.
- Go now to the ATM or bank and get some cash (banks may be closed after the storms and ATMs may be empty and will not function in power outages).
- Store or take in the garage or basement all outside furniture including chairs, umbrellas, tables, toys, etc.
- If you want to gain a greater understanding of the steps you should take, and the information you are reading about the storm, read this Hurricane Preparedness Guide. It has a PDF you can print out and refer to as you make your preparations.
Not sure if you should evacuate or not? This is what the National Hurricane Center has to say about that:
We cannot overstate the importance of following evacuation orders and other instructions from local officials, regardless of the category or strength of a tropical storm or hurricane. Ignoring evacuation orders risks not only the lives of those who stay behind, but also the lives of first responders who may be called upon to rescue them.
Storm surge and large waves produced by hurricanes pose the greatest threat to life and property along the coast.
What else? Let us know in the comments if you have any additional thoughts or suggestions on planning for the storm.
Here's the latest forecast from the National Weather Service for the Madison and the surrounding area, and the latest information as of 11 p.m. Saturday, from the National Hurricane Center.
A high surf advisory is in effect from 7 p.m. Sunday to 6 p.m. EDT on Tuesday.
A coastal flood warning is in effecting from 6 a.m. Monday to 3 p.m. EDT on Tuesday.
Tidal departures from 1 to 1 1/2 feet above astronomical tides Sunday night, 2 to 4 feet above astronomical tides Monday morning and potential for 4 to 8 foot surge Monday night into Tuesday morning is expected.
High surf and beach erosion: Breaking waves are expected to build to 15 to 20 feet along ocean facing shorelins by late Monday into Monday night. At the same time, 5 to 8 foot waves are possible along exposed eastern and northeastern facing portions of Long Island Sound ... this is expected to cause major beach erosion and localized washovers.
Minor coastal flooding is likely with the evening high tides on Sunday, with the likelihood for widespreadh moderate flooding by the Monday morning high tide cycle. Major coastal flood, possibly to record levels is likely during the Monday night high tide cycles. Moderate to major coastal flooding is possible into the Tuesday morning and early afternoon high tide cycles.
Impacts: A long duration and major coastal flood event is expected to start Sunday night and peak Monday night into Tuesday morning. The exact track/timing of the coastal storm will determine the magnitude of coastal flood Monday night through Tuesday morning's high tide cycles, but the potential is increasing for a major coastal flooding event with significant inundation and damage to structures in historically flood prone spots.
Precautionary/Preparedness Actions: A coastal flood warning means that flooding is expected or occurring. Coastal residents in the warned area should be alert for rising water and take appropriate action to protect life and property.
National Hurricane Center: Sandy Remains a Large and Dangerous Storm; Widespread Impacts Expected Into Early Next Week
Dangerous Hurricane Sandy continues to move parallel to the Southeast Coast. The sprawling storm is expected to turn northwest early Monday and near the coast of the Mid-Atlantic States by late Monday. Direct impacts including damaging winds, flooding rains at the coast and well inland, significant storm surge, and heavy snow are expected for the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast United States.
Maximum sustained winds are near 75 mph, with higher gusts. While little change in strength is forecast during the next couple of days, Sandy is expected to remain a large and powerful cyclone. Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 105 miles from the center and tropical force winds extend outward up to 520 miles.
Gale force winds are expected to arrive along portions of the mid-Atlantic Coast by Sunday and reach Long Island and southern New England by Monday morning. Winds near hurricane force could readh the mid-Atlantic states including Long Island by late Monday. The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded with rising waters.
Surge-related flooding depends on the relative timing of the surge and tidal cycle, and can vary greatly over short distances. Given the large wind field assocated with Sandy, elevated water levels could span multiple tide cycles resulting in repeated and extended periods of coastal and bayside flooding. In addition, elevated waters could occur far removed from the center of Sandy. Furthermore, these conditions will occur regardless of whether Sandy is a tropical or post-tropical cyclone.
