Rising Rivers Contribute To Flood Waters
Rain Floods Garages, Homes In Waterbury
POSTED: 11:09 am EDT April 18,
2007
UPDATED: 7:14 pm EDT April 18,
2007
MIDDLETOWN, Conn. -- Rising rivers in our state are adding to plenty of pre-existing flooding conditions after this week's heavy rains.Channel 3 Eyewitness News reporter Hena Daniels reported that the Connecticut River flooded the first floor of the Middletown Eatery at Harbor Park early Wednesday morning.Daniels reported that the restaurant staffers moved chairs and tables to the second floor to avoid further damage.Channel 3 Early Warning Weather meteorologist Scot Haney reported officials are watching the Connecticut, Housatonic, Still and Quinnipiac rivers on Wednesday.As of noon on Wednesday, a river flood warning remained in effect for central Connecticut, especially along the Connecticut River.In Hartford, the Connecticut River has risen to 23.35 feet by noon on Wednesday, where the flood stage is 16 feet.In Middletown, Haney reported the river was at 14.19 feet, where the flood stage is 8 feet. Haney said that the river is expected to rise by as much as another foot at that location.Daniels reported that the flood waters rose along the banks off Route 9, leaving water and debris strewn onto the streets."Right now we're just waiting for the river to crest. We anticipate that to happen tonight between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. The water may come up another 6 to 8 inches, it will not impact the city," said George Dunn, director of EMA in Middletown.
Students Arrested On Skinny-Dipping Charges
Middletown police arrested three Wesleyan University students who they said skinny-dipped in the flood waters of the Connecticut River near Harbor Park.Police said the waters were moving swiftly and the students could have sparked a potential rescue mission."I had to go in twice because, the first time, (my friend) wouldn't go in and I went in alone," one of the students told Eyewitness News. "We decided to go in again to experience this all together."Waterbury Garages, Basements Flooded
Jennifer Fusco's garage used to provide a safe place to store her belongings -- until the rain came.Channel 3 Eyewitness News reporter Katy Zachry reported that water poured into the garage, into Fusco's car and destroyed belongings packed inside the garage.Zachry reported on Tuesday night that gaping holes in the wall remained wet and showed moldy conditions.For so many like Fusco, the recent nor'easter brought destruction, Zachry said."I couldn't go downstairs," Fusco said. "Water was so high and it kept getting higher; one of the cars in the parking lot was nearly covered."Dozens of others in Waterbury were evacuated from their homes on Monday and Tuesday. The flooding off of Woodtick Road was so bad on Monday that firefighters rescued many people from balconies."They brought down the boat and the ladder, they hooked the ladder up, and that's how we got out," said Luigi Caraco.Caraco said the water rose to the level of his doorbell and that he was told that a nearby river had overflowed and ended up in people's basements and garages.Zachry reported that the condominium complex at which Fusco lives has flood insurance for the structure of the garage; however, the residents did not obtain flood insurance.| Click here to e-mail news tips to Eyewitness News, or dial toll-free: 866-289-0333. Be sure to stay with WFSB.com and Channel 3 Eyewitness News for the latest news updates. |
Previous Stories:
- April 17, 2007: Conn. River Expected To Reach Major Flood Level
- April 16, 2007: Much Of State Underwater After Nor'easter
- April 15, 2007: Route 25 Closes; Officials Brace For Nor'easter
- April 13, 2007: Shoreline Workers Prepare For Sunday's Storm
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