Update at 9:30 p.m. on Aug. 1:
Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-3) released the following statement tonight in response to today's storm and its impact:
“I spoke with Governor Malloy and Mayor Mezzo tonight about the flooding today in Naugatuck. The flooding caused by today’s rainfall has caused a still-unknown amount of property damage, but we can all be thankful that the worst appears to be over and the situation has stabilized. My staff will be evaluating the damage in the morning and my office stands ready to assist the Governor, Mayor and individuals and families impacted. My office can be reached at 203-562-3718.”
Updated at 5:51 p.m. on Aug. 1:
Mayor Robert A. Mezzo has declared a state of emergency in Naugatuck and Gov. Dannel Malloy will be in the Borough at 6:30 tonight to assess the flood damage.
The original story follows:
A fast-moving rainstorm ripped through Naugatuck Wednesday afternoon, causing roads to collapse and emergency crews to evacuate two apartment buildings after widespread flooding and water damage.
Naugatuck officials were in the process of setting up an emergency operations center after the rain had stopped, and were seeking the assistance of state officials to help them clean up after the storm blew through Naugatuck with a fury.
Residents reported water up to their waistlines on Bridge Street, while a torrent of water rushed off of High Street into the parking lot behind the Mobil Gas Station on South Main Street. Police closed off several roads due to flooding and firefighters from Naugatuck, Beacon Falls and Bethany helped pump out several basements, including those at apartment complexes on Prospect Street and Trowbridge Lane, which were evacuated.
Reports were also received of manhole covers blowing off due to too much rain. No injuries were reported as of 5 p.m., officials said.
The rain started pouring down around 2 p.m. and some meterologists, including Ryan Hanrahan of NBC Connecticut, said reports show the Borough took on some four inches of rain in less than two hours.
“That will cause significant flash flooding,” he warned on the Naugatuck Patch Facebook page.
And it did.
People were flooded on Millville Avenue, Cherry Street, Hoadley Street, May Street, Prospect Street and several other areas of Naugatuck. Some of the storm’s most impressive power was on display on Rubber Avenue, where a retaining wall across from the recycling center and behind the Cosmetology Center collapsed, causing a rush of water to carry dirt and rocks onto the busy street. An old truck was seen hanging over an edge near the retaining wall and the parking lot at the was in hundreds of pieces after giving way to the rain.
Other bordering towns reported that they received little to no rain and it appeared as if Naugatuck was hit harder than most towns in the state.
Resident Carissa Lemere, who was being evacuated from her apartment building on Prospect Street, said this is nothing new to her.
“We went through this during Hurricane Irene,” she said. “What can you do?”
Anyone who needs assistance is asked to call the at 203-729-5222.
