Governor Declares State of Emergency in Response to Flooding

Gov. Ned Lamont declared a state of emergency Monday as historic flooding resulted in significant infrastructure and property damage as well as at least two deaths in southwestern Connecticut.

In a press release, the governor said the declaration could help to expedite the arrival of federal resources to assist state and local crews managing the response to the severe rainfall and flash flooding responsible for extensive damage in the southwest region of the state.

“The sudden and severe flooding has caused significant damage to infrastructure in the western portion of the state, resulting in evacuations, rescues, and more than two dozen road closures that we anticipate will need to be closed for an extended period,” Lamont said.

Meanwhile, state and local officials staged a midday press conference in Oxford, where crews had been working to assist residents and visitors stranded by infrastructure damage like washed out roads and bridges.

George Temple, the town’s first selectman, reported that two residents had died after they were swept away in severe flood waters.

“This is a tragic and devastating day for Oxford,” Temple said.

State officials described extensive rescue and response efforts, including the evacuation of around 50 campers who were stranded in Southbury’s Kettletown State Park after flood waters washed out access routes.

As rescue operations began to shift to damage assessment and repair efforts, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection was working to ensure the viability of dams across the affected area, DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes said.

The rainfall and subsequent flood damage fit a pattern of more extreme weather events that have become increasingly common in recent years, Dykes said.

“This is a very historic and unprecedented rainfall event and it’s consistent with the accelerating impacts of climate change,” she said.

Officials advised motorists in the area to exercise caution on local roads. Department of Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto said that at least 27 state roads were closed in the area. Road closures could increase as crews continue to evaluate infrastructure damage, he said.

Eucalitto encouraged drivers to obey all posted road closures and avoid flooded routes.

“If there are cones or barrels or caution tape up, I strongly am encouraging everyone to adhere to those signs,” he said. “Do not cross those roadways. We don’t necessarily know what is underneath the pavement. The pavement could have been undermined, the bridges could have been impacted by scouring.”

Motorists can find updates on road closures at CTroads.org.

Posted by Hugh McQuaid