Shoreline Prepares For Hurricane Earl

Connecticut’s coastal residents may experience high seas, heavy rains and strong winds as Hurricane Earl heads our way. A tropical storm warning is in effect from New Haven to Westport. WNPR’s Diane Orson visited Stony Creek on Thursday to see how storm preparations are going.

The Sea Mist ferry rocks peacefully at the Dock in Stony Creek. The 46 foot, 16 beam passenger ferry is being readied for its next cruise through the Thimble Islands off the coast of Branford. In contrast, all around the ferry, phones are ringing, barges are being stripped, and boats are being hauled out of the water in advance of Hurricane Earl’s arrival.

Sea Mist’s Captain Michael Infantino says he’s keeping close watch on the forecast.

"We’re very vulnerable to the southwest. And if it comes down the southwest, what we call ‘down the throat’ that’s that’s gonna be the hardest hit." 

His ferry will stay at its mooring. And Infantino plans to secure anything on the boat that could be whipped about in the expected 50 to 70 mile an hour winds.

"We’re going to take all the cushions out of the boat. We’re going to strip down the bimini, check our forward lines and go through all the safety equipment in case we have to get on the boat during the storm."

Mike Missett has just arrived from North Branford. He’s trying to figure out what do with his boats.

"I have a sailboat out here and where I keep its probably not going to be practical to haul it. So its going to have to take its chances. My smaller boat I’m going to try and get out of the water this afternoon and go bring it up on a trailer to my house where its chances may be a little better. But given all the trees I have, it could go either way."

Plenty of folks are just watching, waiting to see what track Earl takes. Captain Infantino warns that may not be such a wise idea.

"I think some people take it too lightly, because they’ve never been through a storm. And until they do, they don’t understand what capacity the storm could do in ways of damage."

And he predicts that soon there will be a rush of people pulling boats out of the water before Hurricane Earl brushes Connecticut’s coastline. 

For WNPR, I'm Diane Orson.