Relentless rain from the remnants of Hurricane Ida have moved out, but not before the National Weather Service declared its first-ever set of flash flood emergencies in the region, an alert level that is reserved for "exceedingly rare situations." Flooding has caused a number of streets to be closed in the Greater Danbury area this morning.
Danbury Police ask that motorists not move any police barricades that are put up to block flooded roadways, as they are there to protect drivers from potentially getting stuck.
Brookfield Volunteer Fire Company responded to multiple incidents throughout town and are assisting other agencies. Police ask residents to stay off the roadways and not to drive through standing or moving water. They provided mutual aid to Bridgewater, where a party was trapped in their house. Rescue boats also responded to assist.
The weather overnight caused the flooding of several streets leading to road closures throughout New Milford including sections of Route 7. It is anticipated that the water level of the Housatonic will continue to rise throughout the day today which may lead to additional road closures. Mayor Pete Bass says the Housatonic could reach two feet over flood stage. When that happens flooding follows on Youngsfield Road, Spring Street, and a portion of Route 7 at Bridge Street.
New Milford Police say the Housatonic River has flooded over Danbury Road just south of the Traffic ‘T’ at the intersection of Bridge Street. Traffic will need to use the Sunny Valley Road and Fort Hill Road Detours that have been setup to travel around the flooded area. The Town of New Milford offered the Pettibone Community Center Parking lot as an area for car dealers in the impacted area to park their vehicles.
There were multiple calls in Danbury overnight for cars stuck in water. One issue included about half a dozen cars stuck in the water at the underpass between exits 3 and 4 of I-84. Some apartments on Memorial Drive reportedly needed to be evacuated due to rising water. Shelter was established at the War Memorial, though the City's plan for emergency sheltering now typically has the high school as the designated shelter.
Danbury Police say flooding at West Street by the railroad overpass will prompt closures throughout the day. As of 5am Thursday, Federal Road is closed between Nabby Road and Old Brookfield Road and Newtown Road is closed between the Exit 8 ramps and Whitney Road.
Over 4 inches of rain fell in Bethel by midnight, with one inch coming down in just 45 minutes. Bethel Emergency Management says Plumtrees Road is closed at Maple Ave Extension and Route 53 by Sympaug Park are closed due to flooding. The Bethel Department of Public Works and members of the Police Department are out patrolling for any hazards.
