STONINGTON, Conn. -- The town declared a state of emergency on Wednesday night after 7 to 9 inches of rain hammered the area in a 24-hour period, leaving sections of town under water.

Officials said the Mystic Reservoir Dam had to be opened Wednesday night to help relieve some of the pressure from all of the water dropped by the latest in a series of storms that have pummeled the state.

Essentially, they said, they were forced to flood the street. The water tore up asphalt as it rushed down the street, they said.

In another part of town, a dam overtopped and flooded a portion of Briar Patch Road.

The fire department worked feverishly to pump out at least 15 to 20 basements in the area.

Crews said they believe fuel was mixed with the water at one house on Gold Street. They said they had to call the Department of Environmental Protection.

Crews were also called to the Calvary Church basement to pump water out after it flooded. They said they've pumped out 15 to 20 basements.

In all, crews said, five streets and close to two dozen people in the Birdland neighborhood had to be evacuated.

But crews said their biggest concern on Thursday was the Anguilla Brook Dam and a bridge off of Route 1 they feared would give way, which caused them to close the road late Wednesday night. The road has since been reopened, they said, but they're watching it as a precaution.

Town officials said the American Red Cross was also on call in the event that a shelter was needed.

At Mystic Aquarium, dozens of cars also got caught in flash floods, crews said. They said many of the vehicles had to be towed out.

After being closed overnight, aquarium officials said they expected the parking lot to reopen Thursday. They said they were trying to get ready for what they expect to be a very busy Fourth of July weekend.

"It seems July 4 is the start of the season and not Memorial Day, at least this year, but we're feeling optimistic," said Mike O'Farrell, of Mystic Seaport.