Burlington Emergency Management

09/02/2021

*** Weather Update ***
Good evening, all. The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Warning for our area until 2am Thursday morning. Heavy rain is falling across the region as Ida remnant moves over New England. Small streams and rivers will likely see levels rise over overnight. Roadways will see water ponding. Do not drive through water on roadways, as the water may conceal debris or washed out roadway.

09/01/2021

*** Weather Alert ***
Good morning, Burlington. We are beginning to see the remnants of Ida move into the state. The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch for the entire state from 2pm Wednesday through Thursday afternoon. As the remnants of Ida move through, 4-6 inches of rain are expected over the next 24-36 hours. Moderate wind gusts of 25-30mph are also expected. Flooding is a concern, especially in area already prone to flooding, due to this expected rain combined with previous recent rainfall.

Isolated power outages may also occur as trees may topple over due to the saturated soil. If you lose power, contact Eversource at 800-286-2000 to report the outage.

Some things to consider over the next couple days:

- Flooding can occur even after the rain has ceased. Streams and rivers continue to rise for hours or days after rainfall has stopped due to run-off.
- Try to avoid driving through ponding water on roadways. This water may conceal debris or washed out roadway and may be deeper than it seems.
- Watch areas prone to flooding, particularly around home and work. Make preparations now to leave the area if flooding becomes an issue and you need to evacuate. Don't wait until flooding is an issue to start packing what you need. You will forget things.

08/21/2021

*** Weather Update ***
Good afternoon, everybody. The National Weather Service has placed our area in a Tropical Storm Warning. Tropical Storm Henri is expected to approach New England over the next 24-36 hours. WE should start to feel the effects of the outer bands starting around 6:00-10:00am Sunday morning, with rain and wind intensifying throughout the day. Landfall for the eye of the storm is expected near Madison, CT around 6pm Sunday. The storm will continue throughout the night Sunday and continue into Monday morning.

Wind gust of 40-60mph are expected during the height of the storm in our area. Winds at this speed are expected to cause tree damage and power outages.

A Flood Watch is also in effect for our area. Henri is expected to generate 3-6 inches of rain during the period from Sunday morning through Monday morning. This rapid rainfall, combined with the recent rain that has already saturated the ground, will cause significant runoff that may flood small streams and rivers.

Please use the rest of the day today to prepare for the storm tomorrow.

08/20/2021

*** Weather Update ***
Good evening, all. There have been some changes to the forecast for Tropical Storm Henri. The projected track of the storm has shifted west. This change now puts CT directly in the path of the eye of the storm. Winds of 50-60mph are now expected starting early Sunday morning. The storm is moving slowly (about 7mph at this time) so the wind and rain will be around for a while.

Power outages are expected as a result of this storm. If you lose power, please contact Eversource at 800-286-2000 to report the outage. Do not approach wires on the ground or on structures like fences, even if they aren't sparking or burning. They may still be powered, getting too close can result in personal injury or worse.

08/20/2021

*** Weather Alert ***
Good morning, everyone! We have some interesting weather moving into the area this weekend. Tropical Storm Henri is moving north along the east coast and is expected to intensify over the next several days to make landfall as a Category 1 hurricane near eastern Rhode Island early Sunday afternoon. This puts us on the western, or "wet", side of the storm. We can expect outer band effects beginning as early as Saturday evening. While there will be some wind from Henri in our area the biggest concern is heavy rain. We can expect to see several inches of rain all day Sunday into Monday morning. The heavy rain can cause localized flooding and ponding of water on roadways. Wind associated with Henri, combined with the heavy rain, may cause tree damage and power outages. Here are some things to consider prior to Henri's arrival.

- Secure any loose outdoor items that may be blown around in high winds.
- Have a kit prepared in advance in the event you need to leave home. This kit should include:
* Water (1 gallon per person per day for 3 days)
* Non-perishable food for everyone in your family for 3 days
* Battery-powered or crank radio
* Flashlights
* First aid kit
* Manual can opener for canned goods
* Required medications
* Cell phone with charger
- Fill propane tanks or gas cans for generators.
- Get prescriptions close to being used up refilled before the storm arrives in the event you can't get to a pharmacy next week.

The storm is still several days away, and the direction of Henri may change as it approaches. Expected conditions may change depending on the actual track of the storm. Any changes to Henri will be passed along in future updates.

08/12/2021

*** Weather Alert ***
Good morning, everybody. We have a couple of uncomfortable days ahead due to the heat. The National Weather Service has issued an Excessive Heat Warning for our area from noon to 8pm this evening and an Excessive Heat Watch through Friday evening. Temperatures are expected to be in the 90's for the next several days. Humidity is also expected to be high during this time. The combination of high heat and high humidity will make things uncomfortable. There are some things you can do to help during this time.

- Wear loose, lightweight clothing that can catch breezes
- Choose light colored clothing
- Spend as much time in A/C as possible. If you don't have A/C at home restaurants, libraries and Senior Centers are options. Call 2-1-1 for a list of available cooling centers in the area.
- Drink as much as possible, especially if you will be outside. Water, juice and sports drinks are best. Avoid alcohol.
- Check on relatives and neighbors who may be susceptible to the heat.

*** Do not leave children or pets in a vehicle unattended for any length of time. Warm days like these can raise the internal temperature of a vehicle very quickly putting them at risk.

07/26/2021

CT and surrounding states are having poor air quality conditions today deriving from the wildfires out West. The link below has EPA and DEEP advisements and forecasts.

https://www.airnow.gov/?city=Burlington&state=CT&country=USA

Please dial 9-1-1 if you experience serious respiratory issues as a result of the air quality issue.

AirNow is your one-stop source for air quality data. Our recently redesigned site highlights air quality in your local area first, while still providing air quality information at state, national, and world views.

07/09/2021

*** Weather Update ***
Good morning, everybody. TS Elsa is here. The rain falling right now is part of the outer band of the storm. Fortunately, the track of the storm has remained more to the south, putting most of CT on the western, or "wet" side of the storm. Winds should not be a concern with this storm, topping out at 20mph for our area, but rain will be. We are expecting 2-3 additional inches of rain from Elsa with locally higher amounts between now and noon. The ground is already saturated from several says of rain, making flooding a concern. The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch for our area until 4pm today because of this.

Use caution when driving this morning, as heavy downpours may decrease visibility suddenly. Also use caution when driving through ponding water on roadways. The water may be concealing washed out roadway or debris.

The wet ground, coupled with wind gusts, may cause trees to uproot, resulting in isolated power outages. If you lose power, please contact Eversource at 800-286-2000 to report the outage. Never approach downed wires on the ground or in fallen trees, as they may still be live even if they aren't sparking or burning.

07/08/2021

*** Weather Update ***
Good morning, everybody. The track of TS Elsa has moved a bit farther south than originally forecast, moving the center of the storm away from inland CT. WIth that said, we are still expecting 3-5 inches of rain from Elsa by the time she moves out of the area Friday night. With the rain we've already received over the past several days, the ground is already saturated. As a result, we could see trees toppling, resulting in isolated power outages. If you lose power, please contact Eversource at 800-286-2000 to report the outage.

Hurricane season for the Eastern US started on June 1 and runs through November 30. There are some general preparations that can be done prior to a major storm or hurricane. Here are some things to keep in mind to have available in the event of a major storm, where power may be out for several days:
- food and 1 gallon of water per person for 3 days
- flashlights with fresh batteries
- fuel for generators
- battery powered radio to stay informed
- "go kit" with everything you will need if you have to leave your home
- important papers (licenses, birth certificates, etc.)
- refills for required medications
- manual can opener
- first aid kit

Please remember to only use a generator in a well-ventilated area. Never run a generator or gas grill indoors, even in a garage. Carbon monoxide gas is odorless, colorless, builds up quickly and can be lethal.

07/07/2021

*** Weather Alert ***
Good afternoon, everybody. There are a couple of weather situations developing that folks need to be made aware of.

First, the National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for our area until 11:00pm this evening. A line of thunderstorms is expected to develop around Albany between 5-6pm and move southeast into CT later this evening. This is expected to look and feel similar to yesterday with high winds, thunder, lightning and heavy downpours. If you hear thunder, please move indoors or to a car for protection.

Tropical Storm Elsa is also being monitored. The current track of the storm is expected to move over Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas on Thursday. Late Thursday night Elsa is expected to move over the warm water of Chesapeake Bay and strengthen slightly. It is then expected to cross Long Island around 8-9am Friday morning and make landfall in CT around 10am. Here in Burlington we can expect 20-30mph winds and rain. The bulk of the storm is expected to track more toward southeast CT.

TS Elsa is still several days away, and the storm track may change over the next 24-36 hours. Additional information will be posted if conditions change.

Both of these weather events have the possibility of causing isolated power outages. If you lose power, contact Eversource at 800-286-2000 to report the outage. Do not approach power lines on the ground.

06/28/2021

*** Weather Alert ***
Good afternoon, everybody. We have a couple more days of hot weather in front of us. The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for our area until 7pm Wednesday evening. The next two days could see temperatures rise into the mid-90's. Combined with high humidity, the next several days may become uncomfortable for some people. Here are some important items to keep in mind when dealing with hot temperatures.

- Drink plenty of water
- Wear light colored, light material, loose fitting clothing
- Try to stay in cool areas, air conditioning if possible
- Limit outdoor activity to early in the morning or later in the day, when the temperature is lower
- Keep in touch with family, friends and neighbors who may be particularly sensitive to the heat.
- If you need to work outside, try to keep in the shade, drink plenty of water and take frequent breaks.
- Never leave children or pets in a car for any length of time. The inside of a car heats up quickly in this weather and can become life threatening very quickly
- Watch for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. If you or someone is feeling ill because of the heat, get to a cool area and, if needed, call 911.

05/26/2021

*** Weather Alert ***
Good afternoon, all. The National Weather Service just issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for our area until 11:00pm this evening. Several lines of storms are making their way towards CT from the west. The storms will be isolated in nature. If storms do move through the area, we can expect lightning, thunder and potentially damaging winds. Isolated power outages are a possibility. If you do lose power, please contact Eversource at 800-286-2000 to report the outage.