Hurricane Warning Issued For New London County

NEW LONDON COUNTY, CT — A hurricane warning has been issued for coastal sections of New London County, according to the National Weather Service. A hurricane warning means hurricane-force winds are expected somewhere within this area within the next 36 hours. A storm surge warning has also been issued.

"A Storm Surge Warning means there is a danger of life-threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline, somewhere within this area within the next 36 hours."

* LOCATIONS AFFECTED
- Old Lyme
- Groton
- Mystic

Here is the full advisory from the weather service:

* WIND
- LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Equivalent Tropical Storm force wind
- Peak Wind Forecast: 45-55 mph with gusts to 70 mph
- Window for Tropical Storm force winds: early Sunday morning until early Monday morning

- Potential for wind 74 to 110 mph
- The wind threat has increased from the previous assessment.
- PLAN: Plan for life-threatening wind of equivalent CAT 1 or 2 hurricane force.
- PREPARE: Remaining efforts to protect life and property should be urgently completed. Prepare for considerable wind damage.
- ACT: Move to safe shelter before the wind becomes hazardous.

- POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Extensive
- Considerable roof damage to sturdy buildings, with some having window, door, and garage door failures leading to structural damage. Mobile homes severely damaged, with some
destroyed. Damage accentuated by airborne projectiles. Locations may be uninhabitable for weeks.
- Many large trees snapped or uprooted along with fences and roadway signs blown over.
- Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban or heavily wooded places. Several bridges, causeways, and access routes impassable.
- Large areas with power and communications outages.

* STORM SURGE
- LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Life-threatening storm surge possible
- Peak Storm Surge Inundation: The potential for 2-4 feet above ground somewhere within surge prone areas
- Window of concern: early Sunday morning until Sunday evening

- Potential for storm surge flooding greater than 3 feet above ground
- The storm surge threat has increased from the previous assessment.
- PLAN: Plan for life-threatening storm surge flooding of greater than 3 feet above ground.
- PREPARE: Evacuation efforts and flood preparations should soon be brought to completion before conditions become unsafe.
- ACT: Leave immediately if evacuation orders are given for your area to avoid being cut off from emergency services or needlessly risk lives.

- POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Significant
- Areas of inundation with storm surge flooding accentuated by waves. Damage to several buildings, mainly near the coast.
- Sections of near shore escape routes and secondary roads become weakened or washed out, especially in usually vulnerable low spots. Flood control systems and barriers
may become stressed.
- Major beach erosion with heavy surf breaching dunes. Very dangerous surf and rip currents.
- Moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers. Several small craft broken away from moorings, especially in unprotected anchorages.

* FLOODING RAIN
- LATEST LOCAL FORECAST:
- Peak Rainfall Amounts: Additional 3-6 inches, with locally higher amounts

Potential for major flooding rain
- The flooding rain threat has increased from the previous assessment.
- PLAN: Emergency plans should include the potential for major flooding from heavy rain. Evacuations and rescues are likely.
- PREPARE: Strongly consider protective actions, especially if you are in an area vulnerable to flooding.
- ACT: Heed any flood watches and warnings. Failure to take action will likely result in serious injury or loss of life.

- POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Extensive
- Major rainfall flooding may prompt many evacuations and rescues.
- Rivers and streams may rapidly overflow their banks in multiple places. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches may become dangerous rivers. Flood control systems and barriers may become stressed.
- In hilly terrain, destructive runoff may run quickly down valleys, and increase susceptibility to rockslides and mudslides.
- Flood waters can enter many structures within multiple communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed away. Many places where flood waters may cover escape routes. Streets and parking lots become rivers of moving water with underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become dangerous. Many road and bridge closures with some weakened or washed out.