ALERT: Fairfield beach evacuation ordered today under state of emergency

Residents of the town's beach areas have been ordered to evacuate the area at noon Sunday as fierce Hurricane Sandy closes in on the region, with severe coastal flooding possible.

First Selectman Michael Tetreau ordered the evacuation Saturday afternoon after declaring a state of emergency in town. Officials anticipate flooding in the low-lying shoreline neighborhood that could exceed the levels of the catastrophic hurricane that ravaged the area in 1938.

Residents of these mandatory evacuation zones will receive a CodeRed message from town officials.

Tropical storm winds and rain are expected by 11 p.m. Sunday, with the storm triggering more intense flooding by Monday, according to Tetreau.

An emergency shelter will be opened at Fairfield Ludlowe High School on Unquowa Road in anticipation of what Tetreau said would be an evacuation that could last for a "significant" amount of time. The shelter will open at noon Sunday.

United Illuminating is predicting that as many as 50 to 70 percent of its customers in town could lose power over the course of the storm.

For more information regarding local preparations for Hurricane Sandy, check the town's website -- http://www.fairfieldct.org -- or call 203-254-4899.