Heavy rain and damaging wind gusts are being predicted for the East through Christmas Day, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). While some parts of the country are bracing for more snow, New England is looking at potentially heavy rain and high winds as the calendar creeps toward Christmas.

Ahead of this, Eversource has issued a statement saying it is “tracking and preparing for a significant storm this week. Unfortunately, it will coincide with the Christmas holiday, arriving Thursday night into Friday morning.

“Potentially damaging winds are forecast in some areas, along with heavy rain. These high winds may topple trees and power lines and cause power outages — damage that can take several days to repair,” the utility further noted in a recorded message and an online statement.

“We’re prepared and are pre-staging resources and equipment so we can respond to any outages as soon as safety allows. We’re also working to secure additional outside crews, despite challenges because of the holiday,” the utility also stated.

A Hazardous Weather Outlook is currently in place for southern Connecticut, as well as parts of New Jersey and New York. Flooding is possible, according to the weather service, Thursday night into Friday.

The weather service further does note, as of Wednesday morning, that there is uncertainty in the location of the heaviest rain.

Local Forecast

As of Wednesday morning, NWS is predicting rain that could be heavy at times for Thursday night. The rain will be falling on the snowpack from last week’s nor’easter, “exacerbating flooding concerns as rain could cause rapid snowmelt,” the service says in its Hazardous Weather Outlook.

Christmas Eve overnight temperatures are expected to rise to around 57 by 3 am Friday, December 25.

The December 24-25 overnight forecast continues: “Breezy, with a southeast wind 17 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 48 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New precipitation amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.”

For Christmas Day, rain is expected to continue, “mainly before noon … [and] rain could be heavy at times.”

Temperatures will fall nearly 20 degrees by 5 pm, to the mid 30s, while winds remain breezy, “with a south wind 11 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 41 mph.”

Another 1-2 inches of rain is expected on Friday/Christmas Day. By that evening, rains and winds will diminish. Skies will be mostly cloudy before becoming “mostly clear, with a low around 20” degrees.

The weekend looks clear, sunny, and cold, with daytime temperatures right around the freezing mark.

Prepare Before The Storm

Wednesday morning, Eversource offered its list of preparations that everyone should do before any storm hits:

*Build an Emergency Kit with essential items to meet the unique needs of your family. To help build your kit, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has a detailed checklist available.

*Stock up on non-perishables, such as canned goods and pet food, and make sure adequate medical supplies and prescriptions for everyone in a home, including pets.

*Pick up some paper goods: paper plates, paper towels, plastic ware. Turn the temperature controls on a refrigerator and freezer to the coldest setting to keep food cold in the event of a power outage.

*Fill several large containers with water for drinking, and also fill the bathtub to water available to flush toilets. Keep flashlights, batteries, candles and matches on hand and make sure they are available throughout the house.

*Have a battery-powered radio available, and fresh batteries available for the radio and flashlights.

*Be sure there is a first aid kit in the house.

*Fill gas tanks in vehicles, which can also be good places to get warm or charge cell phones. Just make sure you keep the area well ventilated and do not fall asleep while a vehicle is running.

*Be prepared to cook outside, using charcoal or propane grills or even a camping cook stove if the power goes out. Never bring grills inside.

*Have extra gasoline on hand for electric generators.

*Make a list of emergency phone numbers, or program them into cell phones. Handy numbers to have include the Red Cross, fire, police, and a family doctor.

*Eversource also has a storm safety checklist with additional suggestions available to prepare and stay safe before, during and after a storm. FEMA also has a detailed checklist, with updated suggestions from the CDC for items to include to help prevent the spread of coronavirus or other viruses and the flu.

Important Numbers And Contact Information

If there is a Life Safety Emergency, call 911.

Newtown residents can register for CodeRED, offered through the Town for emergency notifications, at newtown-ct.gov/emergency-communications-center (click on CodeRED in the blue buttons along the left side of the page), or call 203-270- 4370 for assistance).

Residents can also register for Smart 911 — a private and secure system that provides information to dispatchers including name, age, gender, appearance, and medical conditions, plus other details in the event of an emergency — at newtown-ct.gov/emergency-management (like CodeRED, there is a button along the left side of the page for Smart911).

Check News and Announcements on the town website, newtown-ct.gov. Residents can also register while visiting that page to have updates sent to them.

The Office of the First Selectman: 203-270-4201

Emergency Management/Fire Marshal: 203-270-4370

Health District: 203-270-4291

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

In the event of a power outage, contact Eversource at 800-286-2000 or eversource.com.

Eversource customers who have signed up for text notifications from the company can also use their cell phone to send information to the utility via text. Text OUT to 23129 to report an outage; text STAT to 23129 to receive a status update.