CONNECTICUT, USA — It's not a white Christmas for Connecticut, with the state pelted by heavy rain and gusty winds on Friday morning.
While other states affected by the system saw blizzard conditions in some parts, Connecticut was hit with rain and wind and even coastal flooding.
Bands of moderate to heavy rain drenched the state overnight and into Friday morning. Winds roared out of the south/southeast, sustained at 15 to 30 miles per hour with higher gusts. A Wind Advisory is in effect until 7 p.m. this evening.
With the wind and softened ground comes uprooted trees, bringing down powerlines and blocking roads.
As of 1:30 p.m., Eversource has reported 71,901 outages, down from a peak of over 103,000 at 9 a.m.
Gov. Ned Lamont released a statement urging people to get to where they need to be before temperatures plummet.
"We are expected to receive another burst of high winds on Friday afternoon that are likely to cause many more power outages," he said, adding "these wet conditions could freeze over very quickly. When this happens, roads are going to get icy."
If you need to report an outage to Eversource, head here or text STAT to 23129 to get power alerts and restoration times.
Early Friday, several surface-level roads across the state faced blockages and closures, including several in Tolland. According to Tolland Alert on Twitter, Walbridge Hill Road, Crystal Lake Road, Mountain Spring Road, and Old Stafford Road/Sugar Hill Road are all affected by downed trees.
South Windsor police said Brookfield Street between Troy Road and Wentworth Drive is closed due to downed power lines and a tree also fell on top of a home in town. No injuries were reported.
In Milford, officials asked residents who live in low-lying areas to move their vehicles to higher ground before high tide around 10:30 a.m.
"It kind of snuck up on us," said Joan Kubinec who lives near Point Beach. "I was having my coffee, looked out the window, and said, 'oh my, there's water coming up the street."
West Haven alerted residents to avoid Ocean Avenue and Beach Street as the high tide was approaching the shoreline. They said high tide in the area is expected at 10:30 a.m. They also asked residents to many their vehicles to higher ground immediately.
Connecticut Department of Transportation reports that Route 17 in North Haven is closed in both directions due to a tree down in the wires, and Route 79 is closed at Sandhill Road in Durham also due to a tree down in wires.
The Broad Brook Fire Department in East Windsor asked people to use caution as several phone poles were down on Windsorville Road between Reservoir Road and Chamberlain Road.
Stonington Borough Fire Department reminded residents not to try and pass flooded streets as the tide is receding. Downed powerlines are also of concern.
So far, at Bradley International Airport, there have been 20 delays with 12 cancelations. See more here.
By mid-morning, the rain will taper off until the afternoon, when showers will fill in again as a cold front approaches.
There is a chance for a snow shower on the back edge of the system though we are not expecting any accumulation from that.
The more significant impact will be from rapidly falling temperatures from the fifties to freezing in just hours. Thankfully, the strong, dry, gusty wind should help fan the roads somewhat to prevent a widespread flash freeze concern.
But, the immediate coastline in Connecticut is still facing flooding concerns Friday morning as well.
With the strong, southeasterly wind, widespread moderate coastal flooding is forecast with a Coastal Flood Warning in effect.
Bridgeport will get close to a major flood stage. Water levels could come up 1.5 feet to 3 feet higher than normal. In addition, waves will be blowing toward the coast up to 3 to 5 feet.
Minor flooding will be happening from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., with moderate flooding happening between 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
For the kids who may be nervous that the weather would stop Santa Claus from coming to town, New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker had an important reminder:
"Most importantly, for kids in New Haven expecting a visit by Santa, know that -- no matter what -- that no winter storm can stop Santa Claus. Santa is still on his way and Santa is still coming to town. Happy Holidays!"
Jennifer Glatz is a digital content producer at FOX61 News. She can be reached at jglatz@fox61.com.
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