As of 4:30 pm a storm warning was in effect for all of Fairfield, southern New Haven, southern Middlesex, and southern New London counties.Update as of 11 am September 3:The Newtown Bee will continue to update information through the weekend. See our initial reporting and storm-related preparedness details below.Initial coverage posted at 5 pm Friday, September 2:National Weather Service advisory being updated regularly at Weather Underground: www.newtown-ct.gov - or call 203-270-4370 for assistance.www.newtown-ct.govhttps://www.ready.gov/ www.211ct.orgFacebook and Twitter pages. Follow The Newtown Bee on these social networks to get hyper-localized storm-related information as it develops.

As of late Saturday morning, it appears based on the latest forecasts that Tropical Storm Hermine is becoming less of a threat to Monday's local Labor Day Parade, although the storm is imposing a growing threat to Connecticut's coastal communities.

A Tropical Storm Warning has been extended northward and eastward from Sandy Hook, New Jersey, to west of Watch Hill, Rhode Island, including Long Island, Long Island Sound, and New York City. A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.

At 11 am Saturday, the center of post-tropical cyclone Hermine was located just offshore of the North Carolina Outer Banks. Weather Underground is reporting that Hermine has lost tropical characteristics, and is now a Post-tropical cyclone.

There is still considerable uncertainty as to how many of the characteristics of a tropical cyclone Hermine will have while it is off of the coast of the mid-Atlantic and New England states. Regardless of its structure, the weather service expects Hermine to be a vigorous storm with a large wind field that will cause wind, storm surge and surf hazards along the coast.

The combination of a storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline. Along the immediate coastline, the surge will be accompanied by large and dangerous waves.

Persons living within, or who have property within these areas should take all necessary actions to protect life and property from rising water. Promptly follow all instructions, including evacuation orders, from local officials.

There is also the possibility of life-threatening inundation during the next 48 hours at many coastal locations between Sandy Hook, New Jersey, and Bridgeport.

In anticipation of storm Hermine affecting Newtown this Labor Day weekend, First Selectman Pat Llodra and the Emergency Management Office are urging residents to make appropriate preparations to ensure personal safety and readiness. Officials also advise residents to make appropriate provisions to protect your pets.

According to a

Tropical Storm Hermine is forecast to move northeast off the Mid-Atlantic coast, and then slow down or even stall off the coast later Sunday into Monday. A tropical storm watch has been issued for coastal Connecticut, Long Island, New York City, Hudson and eastern Essex and Union counties of New Jersey, southern Westchester County and the adjacent coastal waters.

Sustained tropical storm force winds are possible in these areas. Tropical storm force gusts are possible farther inland.

Significant storm surge with moderate to major coastal flooding is possible around the times of high tide from Sunday onward. Hazardous seas, dangerously rough surf, and a life threatening rip current risk can also be expected from this weekend into early next week, the National Weather Service warning states.

Rainfall of one to three inches is possible, with locally higher amounts depending on the track of the system.

According to an announcement from the first selectman, it is critically important to be informed, and how people seek information can vary greatly. The best things residents can do are:

*Register with CodeRED so you can receive CodeRED alerts that are provided by the town and include your cell phone number so you may receive the messages. Register at

*Register with Smart911 so a specific profile can be created for family members, pets, home details, etc, and the information is secure. You can do that at the link on the town website or if you don't have internet access, call Maureen Will at Newtown Emergency Communications 203-270-4296 for assistance.

*Subscribe to News and Announcements so you can receive info that is sent out to the community from the First Selectmen's office. Sign up on the Town website:

*Tune into local news and radio to stay up to date about impending weather or other emergencies.

*Make sure your cell phones and other mobile devices are fully charged in the event the power goes out.

*Consult further preparedness information at:

Officials also encourage residents to consider their own and loved one's health and medical needs.

Many residents live successfully and independently with health conditions and medical needs by understanding what it takes to manage them. Severe conditions and/or power outage can dramatically interfere with that success, the advisory states. It is important for individuals who have such needs to plan for emergencies. Review continuity of care from existing professional assistance, supply of medications, home delivery of essential supplies such as oxygen, durable medical equipment, and other specific needs.

Also, have an up-to-date list of your prescription and non-prescription medications.

Other important numbers and contact information for residents:

*Always, if there is a Life Safety Emergency - call 911

*To reports a power outage - call 800-286-2000

*Connecticut's free information and referral service: call 2-1-1 or visit

*The Municipal Center at Fairfield Hills and the First Selectman's office number is 203-270-4201,

*Emergency Management/Fire Marshal contact number is 203-270-4370,Health District contact number is 203-270-4291.

The Newtown Bee is networked in with local officials and will update information as warranted on this website, as well as the newspaper's