Town of Newtown officials including First Selectman Jeffrey Capeci and the Office of Emergency Services have issued a reminder to Newtown residents to vigilant about adverse weather preparedness ahead of severe weather expected Tuesday night into Wednesday morning.

Evening events hosted by Newtown Parks & Recreation and Newtown Public Schools were cancelled Tuesday afternoon, as was the Parks & Rec Commission meeting. The Edmond Town Hall Board of Managers meeting was also canceled by mid-afternoon. The Booth Library Board of Trustees followed suit by late afternoon, canceling a Development Committee and full board meeting both planned for Tuesday night. Booth Library itself closed at 6 pm, two hours early, ahead of the weather.

(The January 9 Conservation Commission meeting had already been canceled.)

During periods of heavy rains and high winds, residents are asked to limit their travel to avoid accidents, stranding and/or circumstances requiring emergency services. For those who must be out, and after the storm passes, assume downed wires are energized and dangerous, and do not ignore caution tape and signs placed by emergency responders.

Officials urge residents to be prepared for adverse weather and ask that every resident make appropriate preparations to ensure personal safety and readiness. Take action to protect your pets. Review preparedness.

The following was released Tuesday afternoon by the local officials:

*Please check on any elderly or frail neighbors to be certain they are doing OK in this weather.

*Be prepared to properly care for pets in severe weather.

*Consider your medical needs.

Review continuity of care from existing professional assistance, supply of medications, home delivery of essential supplies such as oxygen, specific needs.

*Make a kit: Water, food, non-perishable food for minimum of three days, battery operated radio, flashlight, extra batteries, first aid kit, garbage bags, and other sanitation type materials

*Generators: Be sure that the generator is properly installed and vented away from the house. Never run a generator indoors or in the garage.

*Make a backup plan.

Make sure you have a communications plan set up with your family, especially those out of the area who may be worried about your well-being. Set up a time and method to get in touch with them to let them know your status.

*Be informed.

Make sure cell phones and other mobile devices are fully charged in the event the power goes out. Be sure to listen to the local authorities and weather stations for information on the weather’s progression.

If extensive power outages occur, information regarding locations for relief and support services will be disseminated.

Important Numbers & Contact Information

If there is a Life Safety Emergency, call 911

Connecticut’s free information and referral service: call 211 or visit 211ct.org

Power outage: call 800-286-2000

CodeRed: register at Emergency Management on the Public Safety page on the Town of Newtown’s website (newtown-ct.gov/emergency-management) or call 203-270-4370 for assistance.

Smart 911: register at Emergency Management on the Public Safety page on the Town of Newtown’s website (newtown-ct.gov/emergency-management).

Check News and Announcements on the Town website (newtown-ct.gov).

You can register there too to receive news: newtown-ct.gov/subscribe

Office of the First Selectman, 203-270-4201

Newtown Human Services, 203-270-4330

Emergency Management/Office of the Fire Marshal, 203-270-4370

Newtown Health District, 203-270-4291

Newtown Community Center, 203-270-4349

After Hours Newtown Police Routine Line, 203-426-5841

Weather Details

Rain returned to the area early Tuesday afternoon, and is expected to remain over the region until early Wednesday afternoon. Up to 3 inches of rain could fall on top of ground already saturated and covered with recent snowfpack, according to the National Weather Service. Localized higher amounts are possible.

Rain could be heavy at times, mainly before 4 am Wednesday. Temperatures will be well above freezing.

Breezes will be evident, with gusts up to 55 mph possible, also according to the weather service.

The precipitation should clear by early Wednesday afternoon. The day will remain mostly cloudy, with temperatures falling to the low 40s with southwest wins 13-17 mph but gusts as high as 30 mph.

Thursday will be sunny, with a high near 42 and southwest wind 8-13 mph.

Newtown and the rest of northern Fairfield County are under a NWS Flood Watch through Wednesday afternoon. Excessive runoff will result in widespread moderate flooding of rivers, creeks and streams. Widespread urban and poor drainage flooding is expected as well, according to the watch.

A Wind Advisory is in effect for northern Fairfield County until 6 am Wednesday.

Officials are monitoring the Stevenson Dam, which was at 8.7 feet at 2:30 pm Tuesday. Flood stage is 11 feet, and the river is expected to rise above that stage just after midnight Tuesday and continue rising to a crest of 15.3 feet early Wednesday afternoon. Moderate flooding in the Maples area of Shelton is expected.