Live updates for Milford on Hurricane Sandy

Street evac list: http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/Mandatory-Evacuations-in-Milford-128530158.html

Milford CT Slosh Map Full list of supplies for shelter: http://www.ci.milford.ct.us/Public_Documents/MilfordCT_Health/S0171990A-019B549D.10/Shelter_Guidelines.pdf

UPDATE: From the city:
The National Weather Service has predicted that Milford, and all parts of Connecticut, will be affected by a combined winter and tropical super storm, including torrential rainfall, strong winds, and coastal and inland flooding over a prolonged period between Sunday night through early Wednesday.  

Further, the Weather Service has advised that the storm surge mid-day Monday could be equal to or approximately a foot higher than what was experienced in Tropical Storm Irene.  Even more significant, the Monday evening high tide is predicted to bring flooding equal to or greater than the Hurricane of 1938 - the most severe hurricane to hit the Northeast.   Rainfall is predicted to be anywhere from 3 to 12 inches.  Due to expected sustained winds of 40 to 60 miles per hour with gusts of even greater velocity, damage from fallen trees should be anticipated.

Because the predicted duration of the storm involves multiple cycles of significant tides and related storm surges, this type of storm has been seen by very few of our residents.  For this reason, the City has taken the extreme measure of ordering mandatory evacuations for coastal residents.  Moreover, those residents in non-coastal, low-lying areas prone to flooding should give serious consideration to voluntary evacuation as this storm is predicted to last anywhere from 12 to 48 hours.  Residents are further urged to take precautions to prevent property damage. 

MILFORD-- Hurricane Sandy may force up to 20,000 mandatory evacuations in Milford.

“For all Milford residents, this is a storm like we’ve never seen before,” Mayor Ben Blake said.

Residents in the FEMA slosh zones for category one and two hurricanes have to evacuate by 6:00 p.m. tonight. Residents in slosh zones for category three and four storms may have to be evacuated. City officials will know for certain by the first low tide tomorrow, which happens around 5:15 a.m.

Streets already evacuated include parts of Melba Street, Seabreeze and Bayshore.

High tide levels are expected to be at least as high as they were during Tropical Storm Irene, Blake said. The worst high tide is expected to be on Monday evening.

“That particular high tide and flooding should be like we’ve never experienced since 1938 with that hurricane,” Blake said.

There has also been at least one hurricane-related rescue. A kayaker is still reported missing off the coast of Silver Sands State Park.

The incident happened around 9:30 a.m., said Robert Healey, acting fire chief.

“Our guys were able to rescue one kayaker,” he said.

The rescued 21-year-old kayaker was taken to a local hospital for hypothermia.

The Fire Department, Police Department and the U.S. Coast Guard were involved in the rescue operation. The Coast Guard sent at least a helicopter for the search effort and there were at least three other boats searching for the kayaker.

The Coast Guard was the last agency still searching for the kayaker as of Sunday afternoon, according to Dennis Shain, spokesman for the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

Healey said the incident serves as a reminder to residents to stay out of the water and off the beaches until the storm has passed.

Residents who need shelter from the storm can go to Jonathan Law High School on 20 Lansdale Ave. The shelter has 75 beds, food, water and an area for pets. Those who bring their pets must remain at the shelter with them.

As of 5:30 p.m. there were only a handful of residents at the shelter, but there are expected to be more as the storm gets closer, said Dennis McBride, health director for the City of Milford.

“If we need to we will be open until at least Tuesday,” McBride said. “Further than that we will have to see.”

Those with a serious medical condition are asked to first be evaluated at Milford Hospital to see if they would be able to stay at the Jonathan Law High School shelter, McBride said. There are 24-hour nurses at the shelter, however, medical facilities aren’t near hospital level.

The most important thing to remember to bring to the shelter is medical supplies, especially prescription medications, McBride said. Residents should also bring at least one complete change of clothing, personal items such as a toothbrush and toothpaste.

Important papers and identification should also be brought to the shelter.