Ridgefield Warns Tropical Storm Isaias May Bring Power Outages

RIDGEFIELD, CT — The town's Office of Emergency Management is warning residents to batten down their hatches in advance of a tropical storm forecast to move through the area.

Heavy rain and strong winds are expected when Tropical Storm Isaias crosses into Connecticut beginning Monday evening.

A warning was issued for the coast of southern Connecticut, while inland sections of southern Connecticut and all of northern Connecticut are under a watch. Isaias was about 800 miles south-southwest of New York City Monday morning and had winds of 70 mph. For southern Connecticut, 2 to 4 inches of rain are forecast, with some areas receiving up to 6 inches of rain.

Emergency Manager Dick Aarons advised businesses and residents to remove or stabilize tents and secure outdoor furniture and unanchored equipment that could become dangerous missiles in strong winds.

"We should expect power outages," Aarons said. Historically, Connecticut sees greater tree and wire damage when winds come from the south rather than the north and northwest as is the case with nor’easters and offshore tropical storms, according to the OEM.

Eversource has already warned the town that restoration times "may be slower than usual because of pandemic precautions."

Aarons is advising families to be prepared to shelter in place and to have food, water and medications on hand for family and pets.

The OEM suggests that all residents stock three-to-five days of emergency supplies at all times in preparation for weather or other emergencies.