Keeping an eye on shoreline flooding

FAIRFIELD, Conn. (WTNH) -- Just two months after Sandy people living on the Connecticut shoreline are taking another big hit. Flooding is once again a concern in communities like Fairfield.

Flooding and power outages are city leaders' biggest concerns. If there are widespread power outages they had planned to open up a shelter but they're now telling us that doesn't look like it's going to happen because the heavy snowfall is going to make it too difficult to drive to the shelter so they say make sure you keep an eye out for your neighbors.

As for the flooding, that's what they've been monitoring closely. They were anticipating water to flood into the streets around high tide at 9:45 tonight and they've been tracking the water and wind levels every hour.

"Right now given the prediction, we think we're going to be safe, that this is not a bad curve but again if the surge comes in higher and we're above this curve, that's not good. we want to be below this curve. If we're above it, we're in trouble. That means long island sound is coming in," said Scott Barlett, Superintentent, DPW Fairfield.

News 8 went out with Scott to check the water levels and as of late this afternoon it looked like there could be some good news.

"As of right now, if we continue along this pattern we should not see flooding," asked News 8's Ali Reed.

"That is correct. We're optimistic right now with the early numbers but we'll be back in 2 hours to take the next elevation again," said Barlett.

A few hours later, Barlett checked the water levels and said, "They are higher than we would like but not as bad as it could be." He says they are going to be tracking it every couple of hours.