State Emergency Ops Center Partially Activated Due To High Winds

Anticipating high winds of up to 50 to 60 miles per hour Friday, the state's Emergency Operations Center was partially activated at noon, the Governor announced Friday.

“After talking with my emergency management officials and assessing the situation, we will be partially activating the EOC at noon today,” said Governor Malloy in a press statement.  “This will allow us to quickly respond to and coordinate any problems that may arise as a result of today’s high winds.”

The National Weather Service issued a wind advisory for the state early Friday morning, expiring at midnight Friday.

Strong Southwest winds reaching up to 50 miles per hour are forecast throughout the state Friday afternoon and evening, according to the Governor's office. Coastal cities and higher elevations could see winds reaching 55 - 60 miles per hour.

High winds can make driving difficult and have the potential to take down tree limbs and even weakened trees, which could cause power outages, according to the National Weather Service. The service issues a wind advisory when it forecasts sustained winds of 31 to 39 miles per hour or gusts of 46 to 57 miles per hour.

Temperatures are forecasted to drop into the upper 30's by early afternoon throughout the state, according to the The State's Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security. Snow squalls in Northern New Jersey may enter Western Connecticut sometime today, but will likely remain there, the department said.

The Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Department of Transportation, Military Department, State Fire Coordination, and Connecticut utility companies will be staffing the State's Emergency Operations Center, according to the statement.