Archive: Hurricane Sandy News Center for Darien

This archive page contains content originally published at Hurricane Sandy News Center for Darien:

News

WEDNESDAY

Update 7:52 p.m.:

First Selectman Jayme Stevenson tweets: "Darien YMCA will open to the public for showers and electronic recharging Thursday from 6:30am-10:00pm."

Update 7:49 p.m.:

Now 60 percent of Darien CL&P customers are without power, or 4,744. Statewide: 286,513 are in the dark, or 23 percent.

Update 6:03 p.m.:

Unanswered questions about First Selectman Jayme Stevenson's announcement to "officially" postpone Halloween in Darien to Wednesday, Nov. 7:

• Why postpone trick-or-treating to a weeknight rather than a weekend, such as Saturday, Nov. 3 or Saturday, Nov 10?

• Do you expect Darien electricity service to be fully restored, or essentially fully restored by Nov. 7?

Here are some other questions Darien Patch is waiting to ask Stevenson (the first request for an interview was made at 12:17 p.m.—we're not implying here that she's not too busy; we know she's very busy):

• How many crews are now working on power restoration in town? At first we heard five, then 10 and this morning a Patch readers said he saw some from out of state.

• How many used the Darien Emergency Shelter overnight last night?

• Are there still live wires down in Darien?

• When is service expected to be restored along the Post Road just west of the railroad underpass downtown?

• When is service expected to be restored in the Noroton Heights shopping district?

• When is service expected to be restored to the Darien YMCA?

Readers, do you have suggestions for any other questions to ask Stevenson?

Update 5:52 p.m.:

After reports have been coming in from Twitter about power being restored, CL&P got around to updating its figures and now says the proportion of customers without power in Darien is now down to 69 percent, or 5,461.

First Selectman Jayme Stevenson did not announce early this afternoon when restoration work would start. Apparently it started this afternoon, a little earlier than Stevenson had previously said it would.

Update, 5:32 p.m.:

Rail service between Stamford and Grand Central Terminal resumes Thursday with the 4:43 a.m. train, but only trains that regularly originate in Stamford will be back in service. Those trains will run on the regular schedule. If you don't know whether or not the train originates in Stamford, then you won't know whether it's running on Thursday.

The resumption does not include service on the line between Stamford and New Haven.

Update, 5:02 p.m.:

"Power to homes and businesses south of 95 between Holly Pond and Gorham's Pond should be experiencing restoration, First Selectman Jayme Stevenson tweeted at 4:50 p.m.

Update 4:39 p.m.:

Darien Library has power back and will be open tonight from 5 to 10 p.m., library Director Louise Berry tweets. On Thursday, she says, it will be open from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Mark Maier tweets: "Power back on along Noroton Ave. around Baker Park!!!"

Update 4:25 p.m.:

The Town website and Darien Public Schools website both appear to have crashed. Email service may also be out at Town Hall.

Update 4:15 p.m.:

In First Selectman Jayme Stevenson's most recent reverse-911, "Code Red" recorded telephone message to town residents, sent out early this afternoon, she said power restoration, when it comes, will start with major trunk lines. She said schools will remain closed on Thursday and Friday, and gave out some information for those staying at the emergency shelter at Darien High School.

Update 12:58 p.m.:

A list of weather-related calls to the Darien Police Department is attached to this article as a PDF. It runs from Monday morning to late Tuesday afternoon and gives a sense of what police have been responding to and what roads have been closed in town. Police have said an update will be available shortly.

Update 12:53 p.m.:

Darien Public Schools will be closed Thursday and Friday, the school district's website has announced.

Update 1;17 p.m.: Parents and others can sign up for the school district's "Ed Alert" system for weather-related information.

Update 11:09 a.m.:

Town Finance Director Kate Buch writes: "Bob Locke, Darien's Tax Collector has extended the deadline for sewer service Payments.  Payments must be postmarked no later than Nov. 5, 2012 [this Monday].  Town Hall is open and the Tax Office is accepting payments currently."

Update 10:22 a.m.:

The list of Darien Patch articles at the bottom of this page has been updated through this morning.

Update 9:48 a.m.:

Here's the Darien-specific weather forecast from the National Weather Service. (The Friday night/Saturday forecast is essentially the same as the next several days, through Tuesday, although there's a chance of rain Monday night and Tuesday):

• Wednesday: A slight chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 54. Southwest wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.
• Wednesday night: A slight chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 42. West wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.
• Thursday: A chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 55. West wind 9 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.
• Thursday Night: Cloudy, with a low around 43. West wind 10 to 13 mph.
• Friday: A slight chance of showers after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 54. West wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.
• Friday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41.
• Saturday Mostly sunny, with a high near 54.

Update 9:42 a.m.:

Darien customers currently without power: 6,691 or 85 percent.

Update 9:41 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 31:

Like Darien Library, the Darien Y has not been able to open because of lack of electricity. Pat Morrissey, executive director of the Darien YMCA, sent this message to Y members:

"Considering our location on Holly Pond, I am thrilled to report that the Y suffered very little damage. However, like eighty-eight percent of Darien,  the Y is still without power.  CL&P and the Darien Department of Public Works are in the damage assessment and recovery phase of their disaster response. [...]

"I want to assure you that as soon as power is regained at the Y, we will open ours doors to anyone in need of a shower, who needs to charge battery operated devices, who simply wants a place to be among friends. I will email you as soon as I have information that power has been restored at the Y and we can re-open our doors."

TUESDAY

Update 3:46 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 30:

Which stores have certain items and which don't, according to the Darien Times.

Update 3:36 p.m.:

Darien electricity customers without power: 88 percent (6,878).

Update 3:22 p.m.:

First Selectman Jayme Stevenson: "Anyone planning to utilize the shelter should bring their own towels for showering.  DHS does not have towels."

Update 3:16 p.m.:

You people are so shy. For half an hour Darien Patch has had a poll up on when to hold Halloween and there's only one vote. I know you're reading the story, but if anyone missed it, here's the link.

Update 1:34 p.m.:

From Darien Patch's interview with First Selectman Jayme Stevenson earlier today:

• Five crews that are dealing with power lines and downed trees in town will concentrate on restoring road access and deactivating downed lines for safety, then concentrate on getting power back, and power restoration may not start for two days (but see below, some customers are already back).

• It's dangerous on the roads since not all downed wires have been dealt with yet, so keep kids off the roads and be careful yourself.

• The town beaches are still dangerous. Please stay away for the next few days.

• The evening scramble to evacuate even more residents didn't prove necessary, since the midnight, high-tide surge wasn't as bad as late estimations feared.

• She advises parents against having Halloween on Wednesday night.

Update 1:27 p.m.:

CL&P actually has been able to restore some power: 87 percent of the town is now without power, better than earlier in the day when 92 percent was out. Now there are 6,873 customers without power in town.

Update 10:20 a.m.:

First Selectman Jayme Stevenson by email: Darien "sewer pump stations are OK. OK for residents to use sanitary systems."

So flush, launder, shower, wash and drink your tap water to your heart's content.

Update 9:51 a.m.:

Town Hall is closed today, First Selectman Jayme Stevenson announced.

Update 9:38 a.m.:

How bad is it in Connecticut? Take a look at the CL&P outage map attached to this article. It looks like a piece of burnt toast (at least around the crust). Towns in black have more than 90 percent of customers without power, and that includes Darien (still at 92 percent).

In Norwalk, 61 percent are dark; Stamford, 62 percent; Greenwich, 85 percent; New Canaan, 71 percent.

Update 9:27 a.m.:

Starting at noon, you could get your car emissions tested, if a station is able to do it. The Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles just issued this news release:

"Department of Motor Vehicles has announced that emissions testing will resume statewide at noon for all stations able to do testing. Consult ctemissions.com or call 888-828-8399 for a list of testing stations. Consumers are encouraged to call the selected station before visiting to determine whether it is operating. For further information, consumers can visit ctemissions.com."

Update 9:24 a.m.:

If you have information on conditions in your neighborhood, please tell the rest of us (your neighbors a block over may want to know). You can post it in a comment at the bottom of this page. You can also post pictures and comments at "."

Update 9:23 a.m.:

Cablevision's News 12 is available online, and the firewall has been taken down, so it's free.

The New York Times and Wall Street Journal have also taken down their fire walls, so anyone can use their websites for free.

Update 9:17 a.m.:

Darien Library has no power, and so is closed. It will open as soon as power is restored, the library announced.

Trees have blocked roads around town. Pasture Lane was blocked by a tree as of 7:48 a.m. and Locust Hill Road was closed as of 8:16 a.m., Patch readers reported.

Update 9:01 a.m.:

Darien customers without power: 92 percent (7,224).

Gov. Dannel Malloy has lifted the travel ban on state highways. A news release:

"Governor Dannel P. Malloy on Tuesday morning announced that he has lifted the travel bans that he ordered in the state yesterday, effective immediately.

"On Monday, facing severe weather from Hurricane Sandy, Governor Malloy had ordered a truck ban, followed by the closure of the state’s limited access highways to non-emergency vehicles.

“Use your heads when it comes to driving.  If a road appears impassable because of water, downed wires, fallen trees or other debris, do not attempt to drive through it,” Governor Malloy said."

Update, Tuesday, Oct. 30 5:24 a.m.

According to CL&P, 91 percent of Darien is without power.

MONDAY

Update, Monday, Oct. 29 10:41 p.m.:

The flooding danger in low-lying areas is worse than previously thought, both Gov. Dannel Malloy and First Selectman Jayme Stevenson announced this evening.

Stevenson (in a second Code Red announcement this evening) and Malloy (in a news release and quickly called news conference) said residents in the flood-prone areas should stay in higher elevations in their homes.

More urgent efforts to evacuate residents in those areas is being made in Darien. Members of the National Guard and a diving unit are now in town helping Darien authorities with evacuations. Meanwhile, in Stamford, evacuations are being ordered by the city on certain streets.

Malloy warned in an announcement.

Stevenson also said town residents should avoid using water that drains into the town's sewer system because the sanitary sewer pumps in town are now in danger.

Update 10:31 p.m.:

Now without power in Darien: 73 percent of customers, or 5,749.

Update 8:26 p.m.:

A total of 66 percent of CL&P customers are currently without power in Darien, 5,224 of the town's 7,816 customers.

Update 8:23 p.m.:

First Selectman Jayme Stevenson said no decision has been made yet on whether Town Hall will reopen Tuesday. She'll make that decision early Tuesday morning, she said.

Update 8:22 p.m.:

Not only are CL&P crews and DPW crews staying indoors as the worst of the storm passes, but you shouldn't either, First Selectman Jayme Stevenson said in a "Code Red" announcement, sent out in a recorded telephone call to residents across town.

Wind gusts of 60 to 80 mph and a midnight high tide expected to reach 11 feet above normal make the hours until about 3 a.m. the worst of the storm for Darien.

Update 7:36 p.m.:

Gov. Dannel Malloy's office just announced: "On Tuesdsay, Governor Dannel P. Malloy will hold three media briefings at the state Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in Hartford to provide updates on Connecticut’s response to Hurricane Sandy—the first at 8:30 a.m., followed by another at noon, and then a third at 6:00 p.m."

Update 7:32 p.m.:

Half of the town is still without power. The good news is that the number hasn't gone up. It's at 3,918 or 50 percent of Darien electricity customers.

Gov. Dannel Malloy has announced that he's signing various executive orders to make people's lives easier as they cope with Sandy. For instance, "Executive Order 23 extends the deadline for employers to file unemployment tax filings."

Another of the orders "allows properly credentialed out-of-state telecommunications electrical workers to perform work in the state that is normally performed only by Connecticut licensed Public Service Technicians."

No one has emailed the Code Red announcement that went out at about 7 p.m.

Update 7:12 p.m.:

Half the town is now without power, according to CL&P.

It's still too dangerous for town Department of Public Works and utility crews to be outside attempting to restore power, First Selectman Jayme Stevenson said in a "Code Red" telephone message to the town delivered at about 7 p.m. (Town officials haven't yet sent out the text, which will be posted on Darien Patch as soon as possible.)

"We're halfway through Hurricane Sandy," Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said during an evening news briefing at the State Armory.

While the storm now appears to be moving faster through the state than anticipated Malloy said, forecasters are still expecting a large storm surge in Long Island Sound that could imperil homes and businesses near the water, from Greenwich to Stonington.

Update 6:04 p.m.:

First Selectman Jayme Stevenson just emailed this announcement:

"Some important updates...

"Wind is too high for utilities and public works to be on the roads.  Trees and wires continue to come down.  A number of roads are now impassable.  Trees down on homes on Arrowhead Way and Dogwood Lane causing extensive damage.

"We are now strongly recommending that people shelter in place.  It is now too dangerous to be on the roads to try to get to the shelter.

"We are also strongly recommending a 6pm curfew.  Residents should stay off the roads and do not go near the beaches and coastal areas.  Stay indoors.

"I will send road closure information in separate email.  They are coming quickly. 

"There are approximately 50 people at the shelter and things are running smoothly there other than DHS just lost power."

MONDAY, OCT. 29

Update 5:59 p.m.:

If your lights are flickering, be happy you still have them — 27 percent of the town's CL&P customers are now without power, according to the utility. That's 2,156.

Update 5:42 p.m.:

As of now, there's a tree down on Tokeneke Road, Rt. 136 near Silver Lakes Road (about one third of the way from Exit 12 going toward Rowayton), according to First Selectman Jayme Stevenson.

Tokeneke Road is either impassable or barely passable. There's also been quite a bit of flooding in Rowayton, making any travel there extremely difficult. And with the tide coming in (till midnight) it will be even worse.

Update 5:24 p.m.:

Right now, 1,634 without power in town — 20 percent of customers, according to CL&P.

Update 5:01 p.m.:

If you're among the 13 percent of electricity customers in town who are without power right now, you'll just have to wait.

The wind is so strong right now that Darien public works crews and Connecticut Light & Power crews aren't able to go out and reconnect homes to the grid, First Selectman Jayme Stevenson said minutes ago in an interview.

"The conditions are unsafe for recovery workers at this time," she said.

A total of 1,076 customers currently without power, according to CL&P. Outages around town are essentially randomly distributed, with the biggest concentration on Nearwater lane, where there's a group of 57 customers without power, Stevenson said after consulting with a CL&P representative at the Darien emergency operations center.

About 50 people are using the shelter at Darien High School, Stevenson said.

Flooding has receded a bit as the tide has gone down, and Rings End Road is now passable again.

But when high tide comes again, around midnight, even more areas are expected to flood than did at noon today, she said. The reason: Winds from the south as the storm passes closer to Darien.

Update 4:38 p.m.:

Now 1,051 without power, 13 percent of customers in Darien.

Update 4:16 p.m.:

Uh oh. There were 623 Darien electric customers without power as of 3:54 p.m., according to CL&P.  Now the number has risen to 845 — 10 percent of the total.

Update 4:06 p.m.:

The town Department of Public Works is "systematically addressing the trees that are coming down," First Selectman Jayme Stevenson said this afternoon.

"I wouldn't say we're inundated yet," she said.

Town emergency management officials are now "worried about the tide cycle, which is particularly problematic around midnight," she said, when a high tide will be accompanied by Hurricane Sandy at close to full strength.

Update 3:54 p.m.:

A quick jump in the number of town residents without power: 623, CL&P now says. That's 7 percent of its customers in town.

Update 3:06 p.m.:

According to Connecticut Light & Power: Darien customers now without power: 336 (4 percent)

Update 2:54 p.m.:

Plenty of photos have been added to "".

The Hairy Barker Inn & Spa has announced it's shutting its doors at least through Wednesday, and it's got a message for you dog owners — cuddle up!

"All of us at the Hairy Barker want you to know we hope you are all safe and cuddling up with your four legged best friend. That's what we are doing! Don't forget if you have pre bought some Halloween candy, don't over indulge and be sure to keep the pups away from the chocolates! BE SURE YOUR PET HAS A COLLAR AND TAGS ON THROUGHOUT THE STORM. If you had booked a bath or grooming appointment with us for Oct 29, 30 and 31... PLEASE NOTE SAFETY FIRST! Our shop is closed until SANDY CLEARS OUT. Till then, Stay safe and Stay dry...

Update 2:19 p.m.:

News from earlier today:

"The Obama Administration has signed a pre-landfall declaration of emergency in Connecticut ahead of Hurricane Sandy, as the state awaits the massive storm’s arrival.

"During a morning press briefing at the State Armory in Hartford today, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said the declaration by President Barack Obama will make it easier for the state to seek federal assistance for clean up efforts in the state when Hurricane Sandy passes."

Update 1:49 p.m.:

As of late Monday morning, areas around Seagate, Catallpa, Contentment Island, Holly Pond, Five Mile River, Beach Drive and Noroton Bay had all flooded, according to a Code Red telephone message broadcast across town.

"Residents are urged to stay indoors unless you are evacuating," Stevenson said.  "The time to evacuate is NOW if you are in vulnerable areas."

Wind speeds are expected to increase throughout the day. After high tide at noon on Monday, the next high tide is expected at midnight, when flooding should also be bad.

Update 1:45 p.m.:

This article has a chart showing the number of electricity customers without power in each town or city in lower Fairfield County. Only 15 were without power in Darien as of 1 p.m. Other towns have it much worse, but the storm is young.

The chart will be updated hourly, and other regional news updates will be added to that article continually. You might want to bookmark that article and check it later. The article your reading now will have updates with news from Darien storm news and

Update 11:55 a.m., Monday:

The Darien Police Department sent out the following news release this morning:

"The police department has been receiving phone calls regarding the best way for the public to remain informed about Hurricane Sandy updates."

"Residents are urged to access the Town of Darien home page via the internet and subscribe to the “Code Red” link which will allow subscribers to receive telephone messages from town officials. 

"Information may include road closures, school closures, weather information and evacuations.  Residents are urged to utilize 911 for emergencies only.  To report a power outage please call CL&P at 800-286-2000."

SUNDAY, OCT 28

Update 10:44 p.m., Sunday:

Here's the current National Weather Service forecast specifically for Darien:

• Overnight: A chance of light rain, mainly after 2am. Cloudy, with a low around 53. Windy, with a north wind around 26 mph, with gusts as high as 39 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.
• Monday: Rain. The rain could be heavy at times. High near 61. Very windy, with a northeast wind 32 to 37 mph increasing to 39 to 44 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 75 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New precipitation amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

A "High Wind Warning" will be in effect from 6 a.m. Monday to 6 p.m. Tuesday.

A "Coastal Flood Warning" will be in effect from 6 a.m. Monday to 3 p.m. Tuesday.

A "Flood Watch" continues "through Tuesday afternoon."

Update 10:35 p.m.:

Here's a link to the CL&P outage map. Nothing to see now, but you could bookmark it. Darien Patch will keep you informed about electricity outage numbers, either way.

Update 8:51 p.m.:

"In response to the dangerous weather impacting the state from Hurricane Sandy, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy on Sunday evening signed an executive order extending the in-person voter registration deadline in Connecticut to Thursday, November 1, at 8 p.m. for those who intend to vote in the upcoming election," the Governor's Office has announced. "The deadline had originally been scheduled for Tuesday, October 30, at 8 p.m.

The order is Executive Order No. 21.

Update 8:21 p.m.:

For the duration of the storm, Cablevision News 12 has taken down the firewall on its website, so you can watch (or just listen) to it online, here.

Update 8:17 p.m.:

"On Monday, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy will hold three media briefings at the state Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in Hartford to provide updates on Connecticut’s response to Hurricane Sandy – the first at 8:30 a.m., followed by another at noon, and then a third at 6:00 p.m." — announcement this evening from the Governor's Office.

Update 8:05 p.m.:

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy on Sunday evening announced that he has "ordered all non-essential state employees not to report into work for all shifts on Monday, October 29, in response to the impending severe impact of Hurricane Sandy on Connecticut," according to a news release sent out by his office.

Update 8:01 p.m.:

The Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles "has canceled all administrative hearings for Monday, October 29, at its offices statewide. Later in the week those with a scheduled hearing for Monday should call the DMV administrative hearings unit to set up a new date," according to a news release issued by the DMV this evening. "The number to call is (860) 263-5203."

Update 4:17 p.m.:

Darien emergency management officials have released a map showing where coastal flooding may take place around town. In addition to areas right on the shore or along rivers, there are two areas showing where the Post Road may flood—near Spring Grove cemetery (as far as Hecker Avenue) and near the Darien YMCA.

A PDF of the map is attached to this article, but it may be easier for readers to find their street on the series of close-up images also attached to the article.

Update 2:35 p.m.:

"The Darien RTC urges all supporters to take down and store their political signs until the weather clears," writes John Boulton, chairman of the Darien Republican Town Committee's campaign committee is urging

In the comments section, Patrick Durkin says: "I think it's important to remind residents with political signs out to put them away! With the wind expected from Sandy those signs could easily become spear like projectiles with their metal stakes. Rhode Island has already taken steps to remind residents."

Here's an article in Cranston (RI) Patch reporting on the Rhode Island request.

Update 2:23 p.m.:

Some cancelations and closings in Darien because of the storm (if you're closing, canceling or postponing anything due to the storm, contact Darien Patch at Darien@patch.org or post a note in the comments section at the bottom of this Web page:

• Darien Library will be closed Monday through noon on Tuesday: "Because of the impending weather event, the library will be closed Monday, October 29 until noon on Tuesday, October 30, provided the library has power.  Please subscribe to @darienlibrary on your phone for updates during the storm and recovery efforts.

• Monday night’s screening of “My Perestroika” film at Darien Library has been cancelled. Organizers hope to reschedule the event in the Spring.

• Darien Town Republican Headquarters wil be closed Monday and Tuesday.

• Darien Nature Center's Halloween Hoot n Howl event.

The Darien Times has a list of other closings and cancelations.

Update 1:40 p.m.:

The town has issued an evacuation announcement for residents along the shoreline.

Update 1:39 p.m.:

Due to the weather, the Darien Nature Center's Halloween Hoot n Howl event is canceled.

Update 1:11 p.m.:

Darien is ordering a mandatory evacuation of homes in certain areas along the shoreline, First Selectman Jayme Stevenson said this afternoon. The exact areas of the evacuation are about to be announced in a Code Red Alert to be sent out shortly.

Schools will be closed Monday and Tuesday (at least); Town Hall will be closed Monday (at least).

A shelter will be set up. The town will announce the details soon, Stevenson said.

Update 12:43 p.m.:

Metro-North service will be suspended as of 7 p.m. Sunday. Here's a list of the last trains that will operate today before the system-wide suspension: 
 
New Haven Line
-7:07 PM train from Grand Central to New Haven arriving at 8:59 PM
-7:10 PM train from Grand Central to Stamford arriving at 8:17 PM
-6:53 PM train from New Haven to Grand Central arriving at 8:44 PM
-7:03 PM train from Stamford to Grand Central arriving at 8:09 PM
 
New Canaan and Waterbury Branch customers: all branch line train service will end with the last train operating prior to the 7 PM suspension.

Substitute bus service is currently being provided on the Danbury Branch until further notice due to Hurricane preparations.

So far, there is no scheduled time for service to be restarted, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority said in another announcement about the suspensions.

Update 12:36 p.m., Sunday:

Hurricane Sandy is forecast to continue to head north-northeast until Monday morning, when it will turn west and make landfall by early Tuesday morning, according to the National Weather Service's National Hurricane Center.

However due her 105-mile-wide span, Sandy is expected to start bringing strong winds and tidal surge to the Connecticut coast starting Monday morning.

SATURDAY, OCT 28

Update 10:12 p.m., Saturday:

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy "will fully activate the state’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) on Sunday at 8 a.m. to continue coordinating the state’s response in advance of Hurricane Sandy," a Saturday news release from the Governor's Office announced.

"Following a series of unified command meetings and municipal conference calls, Malloy will hold two media briefings from the state EOC on Sunday—the first at 11:30 a.m., followed by another at 6 p.m.

"The state EOC, staffed by state emergency management personnel and representatives of the state’s major utility companies, will remain open throughout the duration of the storm."

Update 6:55 p.m.:

At a news conference this afternoon, Gov. Dannel Malloy Malloy said the monster storm lumbering toward New England could be worse than the hurricane of 1938. "Folks, this could be bad, really bad."

Malloy on told leaders of southwestern shoreline towns they should start evacuating waterfront areas of their communities by Sunday morning.

With the storm expected to last some 36 hours that means the surge could take place over four high tide cycles, 11:30 p.m., Monday, Sunday, 11:30 a.m., midnight Monday and Tuesday at noon. The worst of the surge, Malloy said, is expected Monday at midnight.

“We expect coastal flooding worse than Irene and the most severe impact will be from Greenwich to East Haven. We anticipate severe flooding, perhaps the worst we’ve seen in more than 75 years.”

First Selectman Jayme Stevenson at 6 p.m. issued a statement suggesting that "Coastal residents are strongly encouraged to secure their homes and vehicles and prepare to evacuate. Vehicles may be moved to our rail station parking lots."

She said tides are predicted to be 4 to 8 feet above normal high tide.

"We expect widespread and long term power outages and urge all residents to be ready to implement their emergency plans," Stevenson said. "Keep enough drinkable water and food for at least 1 week."

Update 2:58 p.m.:

The National Weather Service has issued a Coastal Flood Watch for Fairfield County effective today until 6 p.m., this Darien Patch article reports.  Wednesday as a result of the tidal surge. A full moon nearly coinciding with Sandy's arrival could mean even stronger tidal surge from the storm.

Update 1:45 p.m.:

Here's a Darien Times article on storm preparations in town, including the harbormaster reminding boat owners to get their crafts out of the water in time, and mentioning that sand is available for bagging at the town dump (which closes at 2:45 p.m.). The article has plenty of links to other coverage.

Update 1:10 p.m.:

A statement from the governor's press office:

"This afternoon at 2 p.m., Gov. Dannel P. Malloy will hold a media briefing at the state Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in Hartford to provide an update on Connecticut’s preparedness efforts in response to Hurricane Sandy."

Update 12:43 p.m. Saturday:

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has declared an emergency (less formally known as declaring a "state of emergency") for Connecticut. The declaration gives him some additional powers to deal with the upcoming storm.

FRIDAY, OCT. 27

Update 11:47 p.m., Friday:

First Selectman Jayme Stevenson has announced:

"The Town has a limited supply of sandbags and sand which will be available on a first come first serve basis beginning tomorrow am during normal transfer station hours. Residents should see the scale house personnel for direction to these supplies."

Update 4:59 p.m.:

Darien Police have some requests for town residents before the storm, including that they bring in lawn furniture that might be moved by the wind, that people on medication or who use oxygen make sure they're adequately supplied before the storm hits, and have enough food and water on hand. They also suggest following the Darien Police Twitter account: DarienPolice@darienpd

Update 3:50 p.m.:

"The public hearing on possible increases to parking Rates scheduled for Monday, October 29, 2012 has been canceled. The Public Hearing will be rescheduled for Monday, November 5, 2012." — from a PDF posted on the Town of Darien website (attached to this article).

Update 2:48 p.m.:

Gov. Dannel Malloy, after meeting with emergency management officials and utility representatives, said it's important for the public to be prepared for this storm, which could last 36 hours, starting Sunday evening. Residents who lose power could be out of it for a while.

The storm may result in as much as 7 inches of rain, creating quite a risk of flooding.

Malloy said he thinks Connecticut utilities much better prepared for this storm than they were for Hurricane Irene in August of 2011 and the "Halloween"  snowstorm last October.

Darien emergency management officials also have met to refine their preparations.

CL&P has to come to Connecticut by Sunday night in order to take care of any storm damage to electrical service.

Meteorologist Bill Evans' blog post Friday on the expected storm:

We always want to be cautious in over predicting trouble while at the same time not limiting the possibilities of issues associated with a storm system. In this case I'm not sure we can overplay the problems of Sandy's arrival.

But the worst of those problems are expected in New Jersey and perhaps Long Island, he writes. About our area, he says:

For Fairfield County and the Sound Shore, we are looking at winds of 60 to 80 mph starting early—4 am Monday morning, trees with leaves get soaked as the trees will get blown down and the power goes out. Sound familiar?? Fresh water inland flooding will be a major issue with 3-6 inches of rain at least.

 

Articles

Tuesday:

• Power Restoration in Darien Won't Even Begin Till About Thursday (Tuesday, Oct. 30)

• (Tuesday, Oct. 30)

•   (Tuesday, Oct. 30)

• POLL: What Should We Do With Halloween this Year? (Tuesday, Oct. 30)

• (Tuesday, Oct. 30)

• (Tuesday, Oct. 30)

Monday:

• (Monday, Oct. 29) continuously updated regional article

• Malloy Issues Highway Ban as Sandy's Winds Pick up (Monday, Oct. 29)

• Darien's Low Spots Start Flooding (Monday, Oct. 29) — news from Darien's last Code Red alert call.

• (Monday, Oct. 29) — contribute your photos — but don't go out when the storm is bad just to get them!

• (Monday, Oct. 29) — continuously updated; tell us if you have more closings

Sunday:

• (Sunday, Oct. 28)

• Hurricane Sandy CT Live Blog (Sunday, Oct. 28)

• Hurricane Sandy Storm Surge Presents Threat of Drowning (Sunday, Oct. 28)

• (Sunday, Oct. 28)

• Metro-North to Suspend Service on New Haven Line Sunday Evening (Sunday, Oct. 28)

• (Sunday, Oct. 28)

• Tracking Sandy's Approach [UPDATED] (Updated 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 28)

Saturday:

• (Saturday, Oct. 27)
  

• Stevenson: Shore Residents Should Evacuate (Saturday, Oct. 27)

• Shoreline Towns Told to Evacuate Before Hurricane Sandy Hits [Video] (Saturday, Oct. 27)

• CT Warned: Monster Storm Sandy Could Start Sunday (Saturday, Oct. 27)

• Tracking Sandy's Approach (Saturday, Oct. 27)
  

• Gov. Malloy Declares Connecticut State of Emergency (Saturday, Oct. 27)

Friday:

• Gov: Hurricane Sandy Could be a '36-Hour Storm' (Friday, Oct. 26)

• CT Athletic Conference Says Next Week's Games Can Be Played THIS Weekend (Friday, Oct. 26)

• Top 5 Food Items to Prepare for Hurricane (Friday, Oct. 26) Another blog post by Yvonne Lederer

• Seniors and Storms: Hurricane Sandy Top 6 Storm Prep Tips (Friday, Oct. 26) The first blog post by Yvonne Lederer of Fairfield Family Care
  

• Hurricane Sandy: Malloy Holding Noon Briefing Today (Friday, Oct. 26)

• How to Track a Hurricane (Friday, Oct. 26)
  

• Hurricane Sandy Tracking as a Major Threat to New England (Friday, Oct. 26)

• It's the Quiet Before Sandy! Two Mild Days to Prepare and Take Action (Friday, Oct. 26) Meteorologist Bill Evans' blog

Thursday, Wednesday:

• Darien Preps for Hurricane Sandy (Thursday, Oct. 25) What town government is doing and expects to do.

• (Thursday, Oct. 25)

• Storm Prompts 'Hazardous Weather Outlook' for CT (Wednesday, Oct. 24)

Getting Prepared

• Darien Police Ask You to Prepare for the Storm (Friday, Oct. 26)

• Connecticut Prepares for Hurricane Sandy (Thursday, Oct. 25) Includes a list of preparation tips.

• American Red Cross Preps for & Has Advice on Hurricane Sandy (Thursday, Oct. 25) Includes a list of preparation tips and information on the Red Cross Hurricane App.

• (Thursday, Oct. 25) Includes a list of preparation tips and a video on preparing an emergency kit.
• Seniors and Storms: Hurricane Sandy Top 6 Storm Prep Tips (Friday, Oct. 26) Blog post by Yvonne Lederer of Fairfield Family Care

• Top 5 Food Items to Prepare for Hurricane (Friday, Oct. 26) Another blog post by Yvonne Lederer

• Hurricane Sandy Preparation: How To Protect Your Home From Damage in a 'Perfect Storm' (Oct. 26) — an AOL News article.

• Darien Preparedness Guide (a PDF attached to this article)

• Using a Generator Safely (Friday Oct. 26) A video CL&P posted to YouTube (the video is also attached to this article)
• [Connecticut] Department of Consumer Protection Offers Consumer Advice in Advance of Severe Weather