Hurricane Sandy will be making landfall in Connecticut sooner than anticipated, the Connecticut Emergency Operations Center reported this afternoon.
In the call, Gov. Dannel Malloy said the storm is moving faster than originally predicted and will likely have a Category 2 strength when it hits the region around 5:30 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. The hurricane is expected to bring a six to 11 foot storm surge, with western Connecticut being hit the worst. The brunt of the storm will occur between now and 8:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Malloy said there has not been a big impact on the state from the rainfall, but that stronger winds and storm surges as well as the hybrid nature of the storm will likely have a continuing effect on the state.
“I don’t think anybody should let down their guard,” said Malloy.
Malloy said one problem included waters not receding during low tide, leading to the threat of increased storm surges during high tide.
Connecticut Light & Power’s last report shortly before 4:30 p.m. said 84,302 customers, or six percent, were without power. Almost 6,000 customers in Stonington are without power.
A high wind warning coastal flood warning, flood warning, flood watch, hazardous weather outlook is in effect for the area. Here is the forecast for Stonington from The National Weather Service:
Late Afternoon: Rain. The rain could be heavy at times. High near 64. Very windy, with a east wind around 46 mph, with gusts as high as 75 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Tonight: Rain. The rain could be heavy at times. Low around 57. Very windy, with a southeast wind 36 to 41 mph decreasing to 29 to 34 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 70 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Tuesday: Showers. High near 65. Breezy, with a south wind 18 to 24 mph, with gusts as high as 47 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Tuesday Night: Showers likely. Cloudy, with a low around 51. Southeast wind 14 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Wednesday: A chance of showers, mainly before 3pm. Cloudy, with a high near 62. Breezy, with a south wind 14 to 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
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