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“We still appear to be headed for what is the most serious storm that any of us in the state of Connecticut has experienced,” said Gov. Dannel Malloy in a news conference Sunday evening.
The National Weather Service predicts possible storm surges of up to 13 feet from Greenwich to Stamford and up to 11 feet through Fairfield. Malloy said that during Hurricane Irene, the storm surge reached around four feet, which is less than half of what is predicted for Sandy.
“The last time we saw something like this was never,” Malloy said.
Those living on the coast line are strongly encouraged to evacuate after a coastal flood warning was issued that will be in effect from 6 a.m. on Monday to 3 p.m. on Tuesday. All coastal towns had mandatory evacuations issued by noon Sunday.
“This is not a joke, this is a real warning of possible death,” Malloy said as he urged residents to listen to their local officials. “We could be talking about the difference between life and death.”
A high wind warning was issued by the Weather Service for winds between 35 to 55 mph with gusts up to 85 mph, with the strongest winds happening Monday afternoon through evening. The warning will be in affect from 6 a.m. on Monday to 6 p.m. on Tuesday.
According to the Weather Service, Sandy is likely to dump up to six inches of rain between Monday and Tuesday, with flood watches for the whole period.
All non-essential government workers are encouraged not to go to work Monday, only essential personnel are required to go to work. Essential workers include police officers, emergency medical technicians and firefighters.
Malloy extended the deadline to vote through Thursday, Nov. 1 so as to help voters to register without endangering themselves in the storm.
Keep watching The Daily Voice for updates on Hurricane Sandy.
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