For more information on how to ensure your family is disaster ready, go to www.ready.gov. Residents can also download the CTPrepares App or the American Red Cross App (Emergency). Both app provides weather and safety information and alerts in emergency situations and have a variety of tools and resources. 

Update 11/10 at 1:00p  

Nicole made landfall at 3:00 am Thursday just south of Vero Beach, Florida, and is forecast to continue tracking through Florida and Georgia into Friday while weakening. Nicole then becomes absorbed into a frontal system that approaches the area Friday into Friday night. The remnant tropical moisture will interact with the larger frontal system bringing moderate to locally heavy rainfall, isolated thunderstorms, strong winds, and rough marine conditions as it moves across the region late Friday into early Saturday morning.

• DPW Crews will be out clearing storm drains of leaves/debris in advance of rain. They also maintain a list of trouble spots throughout the City so will monitor those. 
• Residents are reminded to take caution when driving since the combination of rain and wet leaves can cause slick areas on roads. (drive slow, allow extra time for stopping, etc) 
• “Turn around- Don’t drown” – with heavier rains tomorrow afternoon and evening, residents are reminded to turn around if they see water over roadways especially if there are DPW barrels/sawhorses closing the road.

What has Changed?:

• Forecast rainfall amounts have decreased slightly.
• Gale Watch Friday night into early Saturday morning for the coastal waters

Moderate to Heavy Rain 

• Storm Total Rainfall: 1 to 1.5" areawide
  1. Reasonable worst case scenario: Locally 2 to 2.5" 
• Rainfall Rates: 
  1. The probability of receiving greater than 1 inch of rain in a 6 hour period Friday night into early Saturday morning is about 10-20 percent.
• Timing: Friday Evening into early Saturday morning.
• Impacts: Main threat is urban and poor drainage flooding, with an isolated flash flood threat. Flooding could be locally exacerbated due to leaf clogged drainages.

Strong Winds:

• Peak Wind Gusts:
  1. 35 to 45 mph likely along the coast, including NYC.
  2. 45 to 55 mph gusts possible for the east end of Long Island.
• Timing: Friday night into early Saturday. 
• Impacts: Scattered downed tree branches. Power outages possible.

Severe Thunderstorms:

• Isolated severe thunderstorms remain possible Friday Night, with damaging wind threat and even a brief tornado.
• Timing: Main threat will be during a 2 to 4 hr period along and just ahead of the cold frontal passage Friday Night

Marine Hazards:

• Gale conditions are likely Fri Night into Sat morning, with 15ft+ ocean seas possible. A gale watch has been issued Friday night into Saturday morning for all coastal waters

Minor changes to the hazard and impact details remain possible over the next 24 to 36 hours. Unless there's a significant change in the forecast, this will be the final post related to Nicole. 

For updates and information about current hurricane and tropical storm advisories, visit: National Hurricane Center or National Weather service- Upton NY

#Hurricane Strong- Preparedness Checklists: Checklists

Gas stations with Generators: https://data.ct.gov/Public-Safety/Gas-Stations-with-Emergency-Generators/iksq-gc7z/data

 Flood Safety for you and your family: Brochure

Turn Around- Don't Drown: Brochure

DEEP: Coastal Property Owners guide     

            Coastal property owners- tri fold brochure

Sea Lake Overland Surge from Hurricanes (SLOSH) Map: SLOSH Norwalk

Homeowners Insurance Guide for Natural Disasters: FLASH Insurance Guide- Eng and Sp

Buyers Guide to Resilient Homes: FLASH Buyers Guide

Links to help you prepare for hurricanes and tropical storms: 

Ready.gov- Hurricanes

Ready.gov- Power outages

 FLASH- Hurricane Strong 

State of CT- Insurance Dept:  Flood Insurance Information

AARP Operation Hurricane Prepare- English

AARP Operation Hurricane Prepare- Spanish

Hurricanes and Tropical storms can be frightening for children, but there are some great resources to help be better prepared for emergencies. The sites below have materials for kids as well as parents/caregivers and educators. 

Ready Kids

Hurricane strong for Kids

Sesame Street- Emergency Preparedness 

Transportation

For information on delays or cancellation of transportation services due to inclement weather, please visit: 

After the Storm: 

After the storm, there are often alot of questions about next steps and how to begin the recovery process. In some cases, the damage statewide may be significant enough to make the case for Federal assistance. If that's the case, the City would do damage assessments and request information from residents. If the STATE qualifies for FEMA or SBA funding, then additional information will be provided. 

We understand many residents and businesses want to start the repair process as soon as possible. However, some repairs may require a permit. To save headaches later, please visit the City's Planning and Zoning page before beginning any work. 

City of Norwalk- Planning and Zoning

Flood Clean up tips: 

• Wear heavy work gloves, protective clothing and boots during clean up and use appropriate face coverings or masks if cleaning mold or other debris. 
• People with asthma and other lung conditions and/or immune suppression should not enter buildings with indoor water leaks or mold growth that can be seen or smelled. Children should not take part in disaster cleanup work.
• Be aware that snakes and other animals may be in your house.
• Be aware of the risk of electrocution. Do not touch electrical equipment if it is wet or if you are standing in water. Turn off the electricity to prevent electric shock if it is safe to do so.
• Avoid wading in floodwater, which can be contaminated and contain dangerous debris. Underground or downed power lines can also electrically charge the water.
• Use a generator or other gasoline-powered machinery ONLY outdoors and away from windows.

After the Flood safety tips: Flood Safety | Flood Preparedness | American Red Cross

Food Safety: When in Doubt, Throw it Out!

If you lost power in your home, use these guidelines to tell if your food is safe to eat. 

• The refrigerator will keep food safely cold for about 4 hours, as long as the door was kept closed. If your freezer was fully packed, it will keep food safely cold for 2 days. If your freezer was only half full, it will keep food safe for 1 day. 
• Throw out any raw or cooked meat, poultry, seafood, milk and dairy products, cooked vegetables, eggs, cooked pasta and pasta salads that were kept above 40 degrees F for 2 hours or more. 
• You can keep some foods at room temperature for a few days: butter, margarine, dried fruits, salad dressings, peanut butter, jelly, barbecue sauce, mustard, ketchup, olives, hard and processed cheese, and bread.

Residents who lost food as result of the storm and power outage, should check their homeowner or renters insurance policies. Many will cover lost food as a result of power outages.  For food safety tips following a power outage visit: https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/food-safety-during-a-power-outage.html

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