Irene Threat Shuts Down Metro-North [Update]

Update, 2:10, p.m.

If traveling in to or out of New York was on your schedule for this weekend, you may have to rethink your plans as the MTA will shut down all service — including Metro-North lines — effective noon Saturday.

The decision was made at an emergency session of New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's Cabinet Friday morning at which they reviewed plans to protect New Yorkers and mitigate the potential effects of Hurricane Irene.

According to a press release issued by the Governor’s office, the following actions will be implemented immediately:

• · The New York Army and Air National Guard will deploy up to 900 soldiers and airmen and over 100 vehicles to support civil authorities; those troops have already begun to report
• · The Metropolitan Transit Authority will institute a system-wide shut-down when trains and buses begin their final runs starting at approximately noon on Saturday; the shut-down will include subways, buses, Long Island Rail Road, Metro-North Railroad, and Access-A-Ride
• · If sustained wind speeds exceed 60 mph, all of the following bridges will be closed to all traffic: George Washington Bridge, Tappan Zee bridge, all bridges operated by the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority, and the following Hudson River bridges: Bear Mountain Bridge, Newburgh-Beacon, Mid-Hudson (Poughkeepsie), Kingston-Rhinecliff, and Rip Van Winkle (Catskill)
• · The New York State Thruway and possibly other major highways will also be closed if sustained wind speeds exceed 60 mph; further closings will be announced as the storm progresses
· LIPA will have 2,500 line workers and tree trim personnel available throughout the weekend for emergency repair work, its largest emergency roster ever
• 175 extra ambulances and personnel will be deployed in regions expected to be hit the hardest by the storm

"We have moved quickly to initiate our emergency plans, to work with our federal and local partners, and to identify, prepare, and put into place one of the most aggressive activations of New York State government ever assembled in the face of a possible natural disaster," Governor Cuomo said. "We are fully committed and we are preparing for the worst."

Update, 8:00 a.m., Friday

It should come as little surprise to anyone who's been following Irene's track, but the National Weather Service has officially issued a hurricane watch for the Connecticut coast.

The National Hurricane Center's latest bulletin on Irene puts its maximum sustained winds at 110 mph. The storm, now a category 2, is expected to make a gradual turn toward the north-northeast Friday, during which "some re-intensification is possible."

"The core of the hurricane will ... approach the coast of North Carolina tonight and pass near or over the North Carolina coast Saturday," the service warns.

Irene's effects could be felt in Connecticut as soon as Saturday, with winds expected to reach hurricane strength Sunday afternoon and landfall estimated at 5 p.m. that day. The storm is expected to be a category 1 hurricane by the time it reaches the area.

Six to ten inches of rain are possible, the center reports, with isolated amounts of up to 15.

Update, 6:43 p.m. Thursday

Gov. Malloy has ordered the closure of all state parks and campgrounds in anticipation of Hurricane Irene, effective at Saturday's sunset.

“Hurricane Irene is forecast to hit Connecticut on Sunday afternoon and will be a powerful, dangerous storm,” Malloy said.  “Although I recognize the inconvenience of having to pack up and leave earlier than planned or having to cancel a day at the parks with family, it is imperative that all of our state residents and visitors be in a secure, safe location until this storm passes.

Update, 6:02 p.m. Thursday:

Gov. Malloy has signed an official Declaration of Emergency, according to a recent press release.

“The forecast path of Hurricane Irene has convinced me that the signing of this declaration is necessary, and will help us react more quickly and effectively in the event of a serious weather event,” Gov. Malloy said.

Malloy's DOE grants him emergency powers, such as the authority to order evacuations and suspend state laws and statutes for the sake of public safety.

Currently classed as a Category II hurricane, the likelihood of Hurricane Irene reaching Connecticut has increased significantly from Tuesday to Thursday.

Update, 9:08 a.m. Thursday:

Hurricane Irene is expected to have maximum sustained winds of about 90 mph when it makes landfall (or its closest approach) Sunday night, Connecticut's Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection said Thursday. That would make the storm a strong category I hurricane.

Below is the complete forecast from DESPP, issued at 8:15 a.m.:

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) is forecasting that Irene will intensify today and reach Category IV by early Friday morning. Irene is then forecast to move North on Friday and Saturday crossing the outer banks of Cape Hatteras around midnight Saturday night.

Irene is then forecast to move up the East Coast and make landfall in the New Haven area around 10:00 p.m. Sunday night as a strong Category I hurricane. The first effects from Irene are expected to begin Saturday afternoon with light rain which is expected to become heavy at times by midnight. Heavy rain is expected to continue from midnight on Saturday through the passage of the center of Irene Sunday night just before midnight. Tropical storm force winds are expected to enter the state Sunday afternoon and hurricane force winds are expected by Sunday evening. Although forecast confidence is getting better, Irene is still 3 days away and additional changes to the track forecast are likely.

Original Story

The Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection has announced a Hurricane Irene update for 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, according to an official press release from Gov. Malloy.

“Last winter during record snow, residents aided efforts immensely by following the advice of our emergency services personnel and staying off the roads," Malloy said in his official statement. "We are urging people to stay informed during hurricane season as well –if bad weather is going to impact the state, we will be ready, and want residents to be prepared too.”

Malloy also points to www.ct.gov/ctalert as an online source for updates on Hurricane Irene.

DESPP recommends preparing for a possible hurricane by keeping a three-day supply of non-perishable food, a weather radio, a flashlight, and a first aid kit within reach.

DESPP also states that having a cell phone at full-charge, especially one capable of text messaging, will also be important in the event of a hurricane.

Hurricane Irene was classified as a Category II storm on Wednesday. The National Weather Service has not released information in regards to the likelihood of Irene reaching Connecticut.