WESTPORT — Batten down.

A “significant winter storm” is bearing down on Westport and southwestern Connecticut starting Sunday night and barreling through Monday afternoon.

The storm, according to both the National Weather Service and the town’s Emergency Management Team, poses the triple threats of coastal flooding, high wind and a wintry precipitation mix of rain and snow.

The mix of rain and snow is expected to begin falling tonight, although the forecast currently does not expect significant accumulations in the region.

While sleet may fall as temperatures drop to the freezing mark tonight, Fahrenheit readings are expected to rise into the low-40s early Monday.

The greater threat is forecast from high winds, with gusts clocked as high as 55 mph, according to the “Wind Advisory” issued by the NWS from midnight through 8 a.m. Monday.

High winds “may bring dangerous downed trees, power outages and flooding in low-lying neighborhoods,” the town’s Emergency Management Team warned Sunday morning.

“We encourage residents in low-lying areas to move their vehicles to the Saugatuck Railroad parking lot #8 or to higher ground,” Fire Chief Michael Kronick said in the team’s statement. “If you’re in your car and water comes up around you, get out and move to higher ground right away. Cars can be swept away in just two feet of moving water. 

High winds threaten downed trees, power lines

“Please assume all downed power lines are live and dangerous,” the chief said.

Downed tree limbs caused by high winds, the Emergency Management Team warns, may cause power outages as well as pose dangerous travel conditions for high-profile vehicles. 

The threat of outages may be compounded if ice accumulates on power lines and tree limbs, making it more likely they could snap in the stormy conditions.

Serious coastal flooding possible

The potential for the most serious coastal flooding will be Monday morning — high tide is about 10:40 a.m. in Westport — with widespread moderate to major coastal flooding of 2 to 3 feet above ground, according to the Sunday forecast.

A “Coastal Flood Warning” is in effect for the Westport region from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday.

Numerous low-lying and shoreline roads will be closed in the area, with adjacent properties taking on water, the Emergency Management Team predicts.

Eversource “closely monitoring” storm

Eversource, the power company serving Westport, is “closely monitoring” the storm system, according to a statement.

“The energy company is positioning line and tree crews across the state as well as bringing in additional out-of-state crews to respond to any damage or outages caused by the weather,” the Eversource statement said.

Emergency alerts, outage info

  • The Emergency Management Team is urging residents to sign up for local emergency alerts by texting 06880 to 888777, or sign up now at www.nixle.com.
  • Outages can be reported online at Eversource.com or by calling 800-286-2000. Customers who signed up for the power company’s two-way texting feature can send a text to report an outage and receive outage updates.