This is a massive storm unlike anything we have ever experienced in our lifetimes. I know many people who have not left their homes in Black Rock who are in the Category 2 area (see Storm Surge Map in previous post). Hurricane Sandy picked up power and speed this morning. We had already been expecting storm surges of 11 feet. That means all of the area on the Storm Surge map in Category 2 will be under water. Grovers Hill will be surrounded by water for two days as the water is driven down Long Island Sound and has no chance to move back out, so it grows higher and higher with each tide cycle. At its peak we could see Gilman, much of Grovers, Seabright, the water side of Beachview Avenue, Livingston, Montgomery, parts of Courtland and even Clarkson, as well as the lower end of Brewster Street, Ferris, Arthur, Yacht, and the entire area around Captains Cove under water. Check the map for other streets. It is the storm surge that is likely to destroy homes in Black Rock and take lives.
The police are protecting the areas evacuated and in fact, turned away a hospice aide for someone on Old Battery Road this morning. This is unfortunate, but it shows that they are serious about protecting evacuated areas and not taking any chances. If you live in a Category 2 area and have not left your home yet, please do so now. Your life is so much more important than anything in your home.
The rest of us will ride out the storm with some wind damage and loss of electricity, but for those of you in storm surge areas, heed the warnings. This is a historic storm.
GOVERNOR MALLOY
During a briefing Monday morning, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said he is “this is the most catastrophic event that we have faced and been able to plan for in our lives.” He said he is concerned most about “loss of life and property,” along the shoreline, including in Bridgeport, where a storm surge of 11 feet is possible Monday night into Tuesday morning. “We are most worried about the high tide at midnight. It will be the third surge of the past two days, and has the potential to cause the most damage, perhaps unprecedented damage,” Malloy said. He said the worst of the winds will begin at 3 p.m. and last until 3 a.m. Gusts could reach 90 mph. He also said I-95 and other highways will be closed when winds reach up to 45 mph. He cautioned against leaving your home today. “It really is time for us to stay home, hang on, pray and hope for the best,” Malloy said. “But we are prepared for the absolute worst.” He also said those in evacuation areas should get out immediately, if they haven’t done so yet.
MAYOR FINCH
Follow the Mayor's Tweets @MayorBillFinch and #bptsandy on your cell phone when you lose electricity, Until then you can go to the City's online resource at
The Mayor's major concern is that while Public Safety staff had contacted 13,000 residents yesterday, by 8 p.m., Sunday, there were only 170 people at the City’s three shelters. Perhaps most people went to the homes of friends and family (all the hotels have been booked up), but his concern is that too many may be planning to ride out the storm thinking that this will be no worse than Tropical Storm Irene. By the end of day yesterday, 13,000 residents had been contacted but there were only 150 people in the City shelters. Perhaps residents went to the homes of friends and family, but the concern is that many have stayed thinking this storm will be no worse than Tropical Storm Irene.
SUMMARY
For those of you who have been following the posts on this site know that the storm surge will be much worse than Irene and go much further inland creating more damage. The combination of astronomical high tide due to a full moon and the position of the sun, combined with a shallow waterway (Long Island Sound), create conditions for the piling up of water and pushing the higher water inland.
More information at www.blackrockonline.org
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