EXCLUSIVE

Lyah Muktavaram and Nikhil Kanthan|October 27, 2017

EXCLUSIVE

The potential threat of hurricanes to Westport is causing first responders to take action and prepare for the threat.

This hurricane season has not only devastated thousands of lives and altered life for millions, the storms have also destroyed billions of dollars worth of property. So, towns all around the country have been preparing for these storms, and Westport hasn’t been an exemption.

Worst Hurricanes to Strike the Nutmeg State

You may have heard of Hurricane Sandy, but in proportion to the hurricanes on the following list, Sandy with winds of 70 m.p.h. was not as damaging to Connecticut as others. With research from the Weather.gov, here are the three worst storms to hit Connecticut.

The Great New England Hurricane, 1938
In September 1938, the worst recorded Connecticut hurricane in terms of power and deaths made landfall near Connecticut.
It formed near the coast of southern Africa as a category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale (1 to 5 scale that rates the intensity of a hurricane) and made landfall on Sept. 23, 1938, as a category 3 hurricane. Landfall of this hurricane was made in Bellport Long Island before sweeping up through Bridgeport and New Haven and finally dying down in Ontario, Canada.
It recorded 186 m.p.h. winds with water surge levels of 14 feet in Stamford, as well as 680-800 deaths throughout the New England region.
The hurricane was so bad that it destroyed 57,000 homes, and thousands of businesses totaling to $4.7 billion in today’s money. The damage was reportedly seen until 1951.

Hurricane Carol, 1954
Another one of the worst hurricanes to hit Connecticut was Hurricane Carol in 1954. It made landfall as a category 3 hurricane in Groton, Connecticut.
During the hurricane, winds speeds were reported at 125 m.p.h. at peak force, 14.4 feet tall storm water surge levels, (a Connecticut hurricane record) and 4.27 inches of rain in about an hour.
Power was knocked out for 275,000 people. One thousand homes and businesses were destroyed in Hurricane Carol, and 72 people were killed and 1,000 injured.
The damage was estimated to cost $4.15 billion in today’s money.
Due to the fact that Hurricane Carol was so bad, the name “Carol” was removed from the hurricane names list. This was the first name ever to be retired.

Hurricane Gloria, 1985
The last entry to the list is Hurricane Gloria in 1985. On September 16, 1985, Hurricane Gloria was formed off of the coast of Africa and eventually swept up through the Caribbean and into New England, making landfall as a category 2 on September 28 in our own town of Westport, Connecticut.
During the hurricane, wind speeds were recorded at a high of 145 m.p.h. and 46 foot tall waves crashed onto the shore, helping to cause a total of $900 million worth of damages.
Fourteen people were killed and over half a million people were evacuated in the New England area in anticipation of Hurricane Gloria.
The weather was so bad in some places, that the hurricane spawned a small tornado in Massachusetts, destroying more homes and vehicles. The hurricane was anticipated to be so bad, that Harvard University closed for only the third time in the 20th century.

Organizations, such as the EMS (Emergency Medical Services) and the Westport Fire Department are some of the first responders who are trained in these types of situations. “I believe that the first responders are very well trained to respond to an emergency, Westport is well prepared for a storm,” said Jim Marpe, the First Selectman of Westport. Mr. Marpe overseas the town’s preparation for the possibility of a hurricane and directly communicates with the head of the fire department.

Through their guidance, even civilian volunteers are trained as responders with running through practice drills and other scenarios to help protect the town and its citizens. These responders are making sure to always have fuel in their cars and be ready to help. The response teams sometimes even have a fire truck placed on Saugatuck Island to aid in helping during a flood.

Still, these first responders can run into some trouble. When people are reluctant to evacuate the area, the responders are put at a risk. With having people in vulnerable areas, first responders aren’t able to be properly sheltered in safety. So Jim Marpe advises citizens to evacuate if necessary.

Throughout the time, Westport has changed its ways from the experiences of different storms. In 2012, Hurricane Sandy directly impacted Westport causing floods and power outages. In fact, seven houses in the area were destroyed.

“Hurricanes can get that large, and the damage Sandy has done is unthinkable,” said Robert Yost, the Head of the Westport Fire Department. Each time there was a storm, the department would make a note so they would be able to improve on further issues.

Along with the notes, Westport has also made an effort to shelter those who are in need. “After Sandy, we reviewed what we could do better and decided to change our shelter location to Staples Field House from Long Lots Elementary School,” said Jim Marpe. Since Staples High School has a larger space, it accommodates people and their pets.

When hit with a warning, the Central Fire Station is up and running, with weather radars and computers tracking the hurricane’s movement. Westport has the protocol to open up the station when threatened with a storm. This year, after Hurricane Jose, Westport had it up and running once again.

Another way Westport is able to get the warning out is called Code Red, “This method is called Reverse 911. We can call the people and warn them if there is a problem and tell them to evacuate,” said Mr. Marpe. Westport is able to call citizens to warn them to evacuate, contrary to the citizens calling 911.

This registration method gives civilians more specific instruction on what to do when a disaster strikes.
However, there are other ways to stay protected in an emergency like a hurricane. “Be prepared to have no power and have a plan for other ways to communicate,” said Mr. Yost. Having a backup plan is essential to keeping safe. Whether it is cordless phones for communication or having loose cash, an extra supply could be important to have.

Seventh grader Mallika Subramanian agrees. “We have to prepare our surroundings and pack flashlights, batteries, and things we need on a regular basis,” she said.

Since some damage of the hurricanes can extend hundreds of miles inland, the Department of Homeland Security has some supplies to have after and during an emergency. Having a first aid kit, hygiene items, and canned goods are some of the important items to keep stocked up on.

Hurricanes are disasters that we cannot control; however, we can control our response to these storms. By keeping an emergency supply kit, or being able to evacuate, we are taking action and preparing ourselves from these threats.

Westport has learned from the history with hurricanes, and worked even harder to keep citizens safe.
“The most important thing is to get this town back operating,” said Mr. Marpe.