Tropical Storm — Southern Fairfield, Connecticut

2020-08-04 · Southern Fairfield, Connecticut

Event narrative

Numerous trees and power lines were downed throughout the county. This resulted in numerous power outages.

Bridgeport's Sikorsky Memorial Airport reported a maximum sustained wind of 43 mph at 406 pm LST and a peak wind gust of 62 mph at 133 pm LST. The Norwalk Light Weatherflow site reported a maximum sustained wind of 52 mph and a peak gust of 70 mph at 125 pm LST. The Bridgeport NOS tide gauge reported a gust of 68 mph at 230 pm LST.

There was also a confirmed EF-1 tornado in Westport, CT around 1:40 pm, as a waterspout came onshore.

There were no reports of coastal flooding as the highest storm surge did not coincide with high tide and was during a period of low astronomical tides.

Wider weather episode

Category 1 Hurricane Isaias with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph, made landfall near Ocean Isle Beach, NC at 11:10 pm on August 3rd. Isaias' intensity weakened back to Tropical Storm strength as its forward speed increased to near 30 mph during the early morning of August 4th.

The center of Isaias passed about 65 miles west of New York City at 3 pm on August 4, 2020. Tropical storm force winds extended well east of the center of circulation. The highest sustained wind speeds ranged from 35 to 55 mph, with gusts 60 to 70 mph.

Isaias brought sustained tropical storm winds with gusts to near hurricane force across Southern Connecticut, resulting in widespread wind damage and power outages. There was also a confirmed EF-1 tornado in Westport, CT around 1:40 pm. Coastal impacts were minimal, and mainly from high surf along the coast. Rainfall amounts of 1/2 to 1 1/2 inches were observed across southwestern portions CT.

One death resulted from high winds:

In Naugatuck, New Haven, one man died after being struck by a falling tree while trying to move branches in front of his car on Andrew Mountain Road.

Preliminary damage cost estimates for Public Assistance are:

New Haven $ 9,610,561 + $ 415,000 = $ 10,025,561

Fairfield $ 7,364,714 + $1,625,000 = $ 8,989,714

New London $ 1,259,191 + $220,000 = $ 1,479,191

Middlesex $ 1,274,266 + $45,000 = $ 1,319,266

The number of power outages, statewide peaked around 752,225 at 8:00 AM on August 5th. The state lost around 1 percent of their tree population.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 920088. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.