New London prepares for flooding as coastal storm approaches

NEW LONDON, Conn. (WFSB) - A coastal storm is expected to bring wet and windy conditions this weekend, prompting preparations from shoreline residents and public works crews.

Pequot Avenue, near Green Harbor Beach, is an area that floods during bad storms, when storm water running down a hill and tidal water combine and overwhelm the street and drains.

Brian Sear, director of New London’s Public Works Department, is preparing the city two days ahead of the storm.

“If the water does ride in these areas, we just put those out, we’ll have a crew out. I’ll be out. We’ll scout and if it’s appropriate we’ll call more staff in,” Sear said.

Sear said the worst-case scenario involves heavy rain, high tide and high winds together. Crews will have barricades and other equipment ready to go Saturday.

Joelle and Roger Ward are traveling the Northeast in an RV, from North Carolina to Maine. They stopped in New London, their first time in Connecticut, and had planned to stay for the weekend to enjoy the shoreline. They said they are worried about the storm.

“I think we’re going to go inland a little ways. We are in an RV so maybe Albany somewhere like that. Just go through the storm a couple days, not worry about sightseeing and head back over,” Joelle Ward said.

“We have a pretty big RV so I’m not worried about it. I don’t want a tree falling down on it but other than that I think we’re good,” Roger Ward said.

Conditions were already windy Thursday, with choppy water at the mouth of the Thames River. Some smaller ferries to Long Island were canceled Thursday, while larger boats continued running, including plans to operate through the weekend.