Westport (Connecticut), Sep 14: Torrential rains triggered flash flooding across parts of Connecticut, New York and New Jersey on Sunday, forcing road closures, disrupting rail and air services and prompting emergency crews to carry out numerous water rescues.
The National Weather Service said the worst-hit areas included northern New Jersey, parts of Westchester County in New York and coastal Connecticut along Interstate 95. Rainfall rates reached 1 to 2 inches an hour in several locations, while the coastal stretch between Norwalk and Westport received 6 to 7 inches of rain, with rates peaking at 3 to 4 inches an hour.
In Connecticut, Westport was among the hardest-hit communities, with the local fire department conducting 13 rescues of people trapped in vehicles by rapidly rising floodwaters. Downtown businesses were also inundated.
“Even as the rain subsides, standing water and other hazards may remain,” the Westport Fire Department cautioned, urging residents to avoid flooded roads, never drive around barricades and allow emergency crews to operate safely.
In nearby Bridgeport, firefighters responded to what they described as “call after call” as flooding spread through the city. Boats were deployed “to rescue residents from flooded areas and bring them to safety.”
Flooding also caused significant disruption in New York’s Westchester County, with road closures and water rescues reported in White Plains and other communities.
In New Jersey, emergency crews in Paterson rescued about 20 people from rapidly rising floodwaters, Mayor Andre Sayegh said. A woman reportedly fell from her wheelchair and was carried by floodwaters.
Sayegh said there were no immediate reports of deaths or severe injuries from the flooding.
The deluge also disrupted transportation. Metro-North and Amtrak reported delays and cancellations on rail lines serving New Haven, Norwalk, Bridgeport and other Connecticut communities. Tweed New Haven Airport temporarily closed its departures terminal because of flash flooding and advised passengers with Sunday departures not to come to the airport until further notice.
The National Weather Service issued flash flood warnings across much of the region through the morning as heavy rain continued.
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont and other officials urged motorists to stay away from flooded roads and warned against attempting to drive through standing water.
As rainfall eased and skies cleared later in the day, conditions gradually improved. Paterson’s annual Dominican parade eventually went ahead Sunday afternoon after a slight delay.
