CT town issues declaration of emergency as weather service warns of more flooding throughout state

Severe flash flooding ripped through parts of Litchfield County Monday morning causing the town of Norfolk to issue an emergency declaration as the National Weather Service cautioned Connecticut residents that more flooding is possible in other parts of the state.

The weather service was warning of potentially serious flash flooding risks as heavy rainfall moved across the region with strong thunderstorms producing two to three inches of rain per hour, according to the NWS Boston office.

Additional rainfall this morning and into the afternoon hours. Continue to remain aware of changing conditions which includes flooding.

More weather info at: https://t.co/DkpsCt3SJh https://t.co/mIVDvSe87c

— NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) July 10, 2023

The flooding in Norfolk caused severe damage and closed multiple roadways, including a washout on Route 272. Town officials put a local declaration of emergency into place and were warning drivers to stay off the roads and not to cross any barriers that were in place, according to the Norfolk Department of Emergency Management.

Volunteer firefighter and emergency management teams were going door to door Monday “to check in with as many folks as possible,” the department said, and were in the area of the most severe flooding to survey the scene.

“Our office and fire department has made contact with many residents that are isolated due to the road closures,” said the department in a statement.

Town officials said Route 272 was closed from Bruey Road to Route 263 in Goshen along with multiple side streets including Smith Road, Old Goshen Road, Estey Road and Meekertown Road.

Another busy day in Norfolk. Volunteers w/ FD and EM are out with town crew for road surveys and going door to door to contact as many folks as possible in the affected areas. RT 272 and several town roads remained closed for the foreseeable future. Water levels have gone down. pic.twitter.com/MEFz2m8aWm

— Jon Barbagallo, Norfolk PIO (@NorfolkPIO1) July 10, 2023

The town firehouse would be staffed all night Monday to monitor rainfall, the department said, and firefighters plan to reach out to residents again Tuesday morning for wellness checks. Residents were encouraged to call 911 if they need help.

The National Weather Service was reminding drivers to drive carefully and not to try to cross flooded roads during heavy downpours, reminding drivers of their message “Turn around don’t drown.”

The NWS issued flood warnings for the Farmington River in Unionville, Simsbury and Taftville from Tuesday morning through Wednesday morning.

Minor flooding was possible, the weather service said, and drivers were urged to turn around and seek alternate routes if they encounter flooding. The weather service warned that most flood-related deaths occur inside vehicles.

Flooding was expected to impact Old Farms Road and Tolliston Road in Avon, Meadow Road in Farmington, Nod Road, Riverside Road, Terrys Plain Road and Route 315 in Simsbury, reaching into Plantation County Club, the Paine Boathouse and Town Farm Road in Simsbury.

In Hartford, showers were likely throughout the day with thunderstorms expected after 3 p.m. In Litchfield, thunderstorms were predicted between about 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., producing heavy rain. Heavy rainfall may continue through 10 p.m., the NWS said.

A flood watch remained in effect in Litchfield County until 2 p.m. Tuesday afternoon. A flood watch was in effect in Hartford through 8 a.m. Tuesday, according to the NWS.

In nearby New York, a woman in her 30s was found dead in Hudson Valley where her home was surrounded by water. The flooding had dislodged boulders which rammed into the woman’s house as she was trying to escape with her dog, the Associated Press reported.

“She was trying to get through (the flooding) with her dog,” Neuhaus Orange County Executive Steven Neuhaus told The Associated Press, “and she was overwhelmed by tidal-wave type waves.”

Rescue teams from North Carolina, Michigan and Connecticut were also in Vermont on Monday as heavy rain drenched the region overnight leaving some towns unreachable, the AP reported.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.