Emergency Declared In Fairfield For Henri, Some Urged To Evacuate

FAIRFIELD, CT — A state of emergency has been declared for Fairfield as Hurricane Henri draws near, according to an email from the first selectwoman.

The town is under a tropical storm warning, storm surge warning, flood watch and hazardous weather outlook, and a hurricane local statement has been issued for the area, according to the National Weather Service.

Henri is expected to hit Fairfield between 2 a.m. and 8 a.m. Sunday, peaking at 11 a.m., with gusts forecast at up to 50 mph and as much as 6 inches of rain, First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick said in an email to residents. Flooding is anticipated in low-lying areas, with a storm surge of up to 3 feet, and heavy rain may extend into Monday.

Widespread power outages are projected, and there will be parking bans for evacuation routes in the beach area starting Sunday morning.

“Beach area residents are encouraged to relocate/evacuate the area on Sunday,” Kupchick said in the email.

People who live in flood-prone areas near the coast and rivers should move their cars to the Unquowa Road Metro North Railroad parking lot. Fairfield Warde High School will open 8 a.m. Sunday as an emergency shelter and charging station. There will also be charging stations at the police headquarters, 100 Reef Road, and all five town fire stations. A mobile command post is set up in the Old Navy parking lot, 2215 Black Rock Turnpike.

To access recorded storm emergency messages, call the Storm Information Hotline at 203-254-4899. For help with meals, groceries and medications, call Social Services at 203-256-3170. To reach United Illuminating Co., call 1-800-722-5584 or visit uinet.com.

For more information, go to www.fairfieldct.org/storm.

View the full forecast from the National Weather Service:

Saturday night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71 degrees. East wind 6 to 9 mph becoming north after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Sunday: Tropical storm conditions possible. Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 77 degrees. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New rainfall amounts between 2 and 3 inches possible.

Sunday night: Tropical storm conditions possible. Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a low around 71 degrees. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New rainfall amounts between three-quarters and 1 inch possible.

Monday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83 degrees. Southwest wind 8 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Monday night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71 degrees. West wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.