[Updated to include Governor Rell's second press release; 6:00 p.m., Thursday, September 2]
By: Maria Moore
We will be publishing updates on Hurricane Earl, now a Category 3 Hurricane, until such time as it has passed by Connecticut.
DEP To Close 7 Shoreline Campgrounds
Following is a press release issued by Governor Rell’s Office at 6:35p.m. this evening, Thursday, September 2:
Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that seven state park campgrounds in southeastern Connecticut will close at noon Friday morning until noon Saturday to protect campers from strong winds and heavy rains expected from Hurricane Earl.
“We know that many families are looking forward to marking the end of summer by camping at one of our state parks over the Labor Day weekend,” Governor Rell said. “Given the latest information available on the predicted path and intensity of this storm, however, we believe it makes sense to close the campgrounds where the impact from Hurricane Earl is expected to be the most severe.
“The current predictions indicate the hurricane will not strike the state directly – but it is still expected to bring steady winds of as much as 50 mph and even higher gusts, along with heavy rain,” the Governor said. “Safety simply must come first. The simple fact is that sustained winds of 50 mph do not mix well with tents, canvas awnings and other temporary structures. Moreover, because the leaves have not yet fallen, we expect the high winds are likely to cause more tree damage than a wintertime nor’easter.”
Governor Rell said the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will ask all campers to leave the seven affected campgrounds Friday morning. DEP plans to allow campers back to the parks by Saturday afternoon unless the impact of the storm or weather conditions require a longer closing.
The campgrounds to be closed are:
- Hammonasset Beach State Park, Madison
- Rocky Neck State Park, East Lyme
- Hopeville Pond State Park, Jewett City
- Devil’s Hopyard State Park, East Haddam
- Salt Rock Campground, Sprague
- Mount Misery Campground, Pachaug State Forest, Voluntown
- Green Falls Campground, Pachaug State Forest, Voluntown
DEP is working with the company that manages its campground reservation system, Reserve America, to provide a refund for all campers who had reservations for Friday night at one of these seven parks.
In addition to the campgrounds, all facilities at these seven parks will be closed from 12 p.m. Friday until 12 p.m. Saturday.
“At this point, we expect that state parks and state park campgrounds in other parts of Connecticut will remain open,” Governor Rell said. “We will not close them unless predictions about the storm make that necessary. Anyone planning to camp anywhere in Connecticut on Friday night, however, should keep a careful eye on the weather – especially people planning to camp in tents.”
Updated information on state park and state park campground closings can be found on the DEP website at www.ct.gov/dep.
For information on how prepare your boat for a hurricane, please visit the DEP’s website.
Governor Rell Requests Pre-Landfall Federal Aid as ‘Earl’ Approaches
Following is a press release issued by Governor Rell’s Office at 4:45 p.m. this afternoon, Thursday, September 2:
Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that as part of the state’s preparations for the approach of Hurricane Earl, she has asked President Obama to issue a “pre-landfall” declaration of emergency ~ an action that federal officials recommended during a conference call with the leaders of states under National Weather Service storm warnings. The Governor’s request seeks federal funding for activities necessary to ensure public safety and security. Click the following link to listen to the Governor speaking about her request.
The hurricane ~ currently a powerful Category 3 storm with winds of 140 mph ~ was off the mid-Atlantic coast today. It is expected to make its closest approach to southern New England Friday evening. If the storm follows the anticipated track it would not strike Connecticut with its full force – but its actual path continues to be very difficult to predict.
Connecticut’s coast from New Haven east to the Rhode Island border is already under a tropical storm warning issued by the National Weather Service, meaning those areas of the state can expect sustained winds of 25 mph to 50 mph and gusts as high as 55 mph. However, hurricane warnings have been issued for Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts. Connecticut emergency management officials have advised Governor Rell that the weather service may well expand the geographic area or increase the severity of the alert for the Nutmeg State.
The Governor continued today to coordinate with Federal Emergency Management Agency and homeland security officials as well as state agency chiefs and municipal officials. She also directed the state’s Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS) to hold a conference call with top officials from shoreline cities and towns affected by the existing tropical storm warning, and ordered a full activation of the state’s Emergency Operations Center – located in the William A. O’Neill Armory in Hartford – to begin Friday morning.
In addition, key state agencies are ensuring that vehicles and generators are fully fueled, pre-positioning equipment and supplies in critical areas and reviewing plans for monitoring dams, clearing storm debris and other critical activities.
“It is frankly impossible to know the storm’s path with any certainty ~ yet we need to make sure we are prepared to deal with whatever nature metes out,” Governor Rell said. “Whether the storm arrives as a full-on hurricane or as relatively milder rains and strong winds, state and local governments have a critical responsibility to ensure the safety of our residents. This request for a federal emergency declaration will make sure that Connecticut taxpayers will not have to bear the costs of these measures.
“Residents should also continue to stay informed about the storm’s progress and use common sense to avoid needlessly exposing themselves to danger,” the Governor said. “Make sure your own vehicles are fueled, clear your yard of items that may become airborne during the storm and – above all – don’t succumb to the temptation to venture outside for the ‘experience.’ Stay dry – and stay safe.”
Additional information on preparedness, including preparing for hurricanes, is available at www.ct.gov/hurricane.
National Weather Service Update on Hurricane Earl
The following information is abstracted from Hurricane Earl Advisory 33A which was issued at 2:00 p.m. this afternoon, Thursday, September 2. The next full advisory will be issued at 5:00 p.m. this afternoon. For the most up-to-date advisory, please visit the National Weather Service’s National Hurricane Center.
SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT…
A HURRICANE WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR…
* BOGUE INLET NORTH CAROLINA NORTHEASTWARD TO THE NORTH
CAROLINA/VIRGINIA BORDER INCLUDING THE PAMLICO AND ALBEMARLE
SOUNDS.
* WESTPORT MASSACHUSETTS EASTWARD AROUND CAPE COD TO HULL INCLUDING MARTHAS VINEYARD AND NANTUCKET ISLAND
A HURRICANE WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR…
* NORTH OF THE NORTH CAROLINA/VIRGINIA BORDER TO CAPE HENLOPEN DELAWARE.
* NOVA SCOTIA FROM MEDWAY HARBOUR TO DIGBY
A TROPICAL STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR…
* CAPE FEAR TO WEST OF BOGUE INLET NORTH CAROLINA.
* NORTH OF THE NORTH CAROLINA/VIRGINIA BORDER TO SANDY HOOK NEW
JERSEY…INCLUDING DELAWARE BAY SOUTH OF SLAUGHTER BEACH AND THE CHESAPEAKE BAY SOUTH OF NEW POINT COMFORT.
* THE EASTERN PORTION OF LONG ISLAND NEW YORK FROM FIRE ISLAND INLET TO PORT JEFFERSON HARBOR.
* NEW HAVEN CONNECTICUT TO WEST OF WESTPORT MASSACHUSETTS… INCLUDING BLOCK ISLAND.
A TROPICAL STORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR…
* NORTH OF HULL MASSACHUSETTS TO EASTPORT MAINE.
* THE COAST OF LONG ISLAND WEST OF FIRE ISLAND INLET AND PORT
JEFFERSON HARBOR.
* NOVA SCOTIA FROM ECUM SECUM TO MEDWAY HARBOUR AND FROM DIGBY TO FORT LAWRENCE.
* NEW BRUNSWICK FROM JUST WEST OF FORT LAWRENCE WESTWARD TO THE U.S./CANADA BORDER.
Click on the image above to go to the Hurricane Earl section of the NOAA's National Hurricane Center.
Be Prepared:
Want to refresh yourself on how to prepare for a hurricane? Or never really thought about it? Please visit the National Hurricane Center’s Hurricane Preparedness page which gives you an excellent one-page overview.
