Community Corner

UPDATED: As Storms Roll In, Many After-School Activities Canceled

Darien Police are urging residents to avoid unnecessary travel as rain totals of 2.5 to 4.5 inches and gusts of up to 60 mph are likely.

Update, 2:38 p.m.: The Darien Police Department released the following advisory moments ago:

The Darien Police Department advises that the area will experience extreme weather conditions this afternoon through this evening.

High winds and heavy rain should be expected throughout today, increasing in intensity through the afternoon and evening. Residents should expect the potential for power outages, downed trees and localized flooding.

Find out what's happening in Darienwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Darien Police Department urges residents to avoid unnecessary travel. Please avoid all downed wires and do not attempt to drive or walk through areas either barricaded or closed with yellow barrier tape.

Residents are encouraged to secure outdoor items such as grilles, garbage containers, and patio furniture.

Find out what's happening in Darienwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Please do not call 911 for anything other than a true emergency.  For non-emergencies, the Police Communications Center telephone number is 203-662-5300. Residents are encouraged to monitor weather reports carefully.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Update, 1:03 p.m.: Darien Public Schools will let out at the normal hour Thursday, but all extracurricular activities after 5 p.m. have been canceled due to inclement weather, a district official tells Patch.

The announcement follows early dismissals by school systems in nearby Weston and Fairfield.

Update, 9:08 a.m.: The National Weather Service has cancelled the flood warning for Fairfield County, but a flood watch remains in effect until late Friday night.

"The heaviest rain has moved north of the region," the NWS reports. "While a few rain showers remain across the area ... the main threat of flooding this morning has ended. Ponding of water on area roadways will still remain possible."

Update, 8:23 a.m.: The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for urban areas and small streams across Fairfield County, in effect through 9:45 a.m.

The service reports that one to 1.5 inches of rain have already fallen across the area, with an additional 0.5 to one inches expected in the next hour.

"A flood warning means that flooding is imminent or has been reported," the NWS warns. "Stream rises will be slow and flash flooding is not expected. However ... all interested parties should take necessary precautions immediately."

Not surprisingly, several commuters report that the Post Road underpass in downtown Darien has flooded as a result of this morning's rainfall.

Original article: The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch and a high wind warning for Darien and surrounding areas as a pair of storms is expected to impact the region beginning Thursday morning.

The NWS forecast calls for between 2.5 and 4.5 inches of rain before precipitation tapers off Friday night, without locally higher amounts possible.

Sustained winds of 25 to 35 mph and gusts of up to 60 mph are also likely, according to the high wind warning, which runs from 11 a.m. Thursday to 6 a.m. Friday.

Two low pressure systems—one tracking north from North Carolina, the other from the southeast coast—are expected to draw tropical moisture into the area, resulting in the potential for "very heavy rain."

"The heaviest rain through this evening will be mainly from New York City on West ... with this axis shifting to the east late tonight and Friday," the NWS warns. "This will result in sharp rises of fast responding rivers and streams. In addition ... the intense rainfall rates will lead to possible flash flooding ... especially in urban areas."

The watch—in effect until late Friday night—means that there is a potential for flooding based on current models. The NWS urges local residents to monitor forecasts and be alert for possible warnings, while those living in areas prone to flooding should be "prepared to take action should flooding develop."

A high wind warning means that "a hazardous high wind event" capable of causing property damage is likely.

For more information—including any local flooding, outages, or road closures—keep it at Patch as the storm develops.


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