News

Emergency Management Director on AccuWeather’s False Tsunami Alert: ‘At No Time Was There Any Risk to New Canaan’

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The head of emergency management in New Canaan is decrying a false mobile alert this morning from the AccuWeather app that notified users of a “Tsunami Warning.”

Advances in science mean that severe weather events can be better predicted, and technology has improved communication and preparedness, according to Emergency Management Director Mike Handler. Yet “all of these efforts are undermined when the public loses trust in the chain of communication.”

“This morning’s event involved an 8:28 am AccuWeather Severe Weather Alert that was apparently released in error. After consulting with the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, I learned that the National Weather Service conducted a proper test that included the appropriate indications that it was in fact a test. This test message was somehow picked up by Accuweather and pushed out via their notification app. At no time was there any risk to New Canaan and we continue to follow up with the State to fully understand what happened and to ensure that this type of error does not get repeated.

News

Letter: Former NCHS Principal Calls CT Gubernatorial Candidate Mike Handler ‘A Hidden Treasure’

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Dear Editor,

I was thrilled to learn that Mike Handler is running for Governor of Connecticut. Mike is a hidden treasure and a man of courage and vision. My experience in working with Mike is that he is a man who gets things done, and in a time when people trip over one another to receive accolades, Mike is only interested in getting things done. He has served both Democratic and Republican administrations and has demonstrated a unique ability to rise above partisan politics and petty interests. Mike has proven success in both business and government and will bring a sorely needed professional acumen and problem solving ability to the citizens of Connecticut.

Around Town

Power Restored To 1,000 New Canaan Homes [UPDATE]

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Update 9:30 a.m. Friday

Here’s a list, updated as of early Friday, of road hazards and closures in New Canaan, as per the New Canaan Police Department. Just 62 New Canaan homes now are without power, according to Eversource.  

Update 6:39 p.m. Thursday

New Canaan’s director of emergency management, Mike Handler, said that five town roads remain completely blocked with downed trees and electrical wires—Dan’s Highway, Frogtown Road, Weed Street, Indian Waters Drive and Hemlock Hill Road—and that more than 20 are partially blocked (see table below). As of 6:40 p.m. Thursday, 1,123 New Canaan homes—about 13 percent of Eversource customers in town, utility said—were without power. “The substantial increase in reported outages is due to new damage to power lines in the Oenoke Lane and Dunning Road area,” Handler said in a bulletin that also was distributed by robocall.

News

UPDATE: Police Find and Secure Man Roaming in Area of Upper Ponus Sunday Night

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Update 12:30 p.m. Monday

The first call about this man came in at 6:48 p.m. Sunday, according to police, when a Ponus Ridge woman said she saw the man in her backyard and spoke with him briefly. Based on that interaction, the resident said the man appeared to be suicidal and possibly under the influence of drugs. She then phoned police to say the man had disappeared into the woods off of Ponus Ridge in the area of Four Winds Lane, according to a police report. New Canaan Police deployed K-9 unit Apollo and were assisted by Stamford and Pound Ridge, N.Y. police, as well as Connecticut State Police, who brought a bloodhound, according to the report. The man was located at about 2:15 a.m. at Stamford Hospital Emergency Room.

News

Officials: Black Bear Seen in Eastern New Canaan Late Friday

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New Canaan Police are urging some residents on the eastern side of town to keep their dogs inside and remove birdfeeders after a black bear sighting Friday night. According to an email from the town and automated voicemail message sent from Director of Emergency Management Mike Handler (sign up here for alerts), residents in the areas of Deer Park, Thayer Pond, Valley Road and all roads in between additionally should put garbage cans inside a garage or shed, and “add ammonia to trash to make it unpalatable.”

“Clean and store grills away after use,” Handler said in a message that went out at about 1 p.m. Saturday. “Do not allow dogs outside without a leash (especially if they start barking in the early hours of the morning,” he said. “Pet doors should be closed for the evenings.”

Anna Diamantis of Thayer Pond Road said that around 8 p.m. Friday, her son spotted the bear from the family’s kitchen window. It crossed the yard, paused to sniff a plant and tree, and then crossed into a neighbor’s yard, she said.