Heavy rains, runoff leads to increased chance of flooding

The National Weather Service issued flood alerts for Connecticut throughout the week after heavy rains and increased runoff. By Saturday, the Pequabuck River along Rockwell Park was experiencing rising waters. | Photo David Fortier

Posted By: David Fortier July 16, 2023

Staff report updated at 8 a.m. 07 16 2023

Throughout the week, the National Weather Service has been issuing flood warnings for Hartford and Middlesex counties. The flood warnings are expected to be upgraded to flood watches by Sunday, when another bout of heavy rainfall is in the forecast, according to the weather service.


On the left, the Pequabuck on Tuesday evening, July 11, as compared to, on the right, the Pequabuck on Friday, July 14, around noon. | Photo David Fortier
The Pequabuck River just down from the bridge at Rockwell Park this morning at 6:35 a.m. | Rit Carter

A quick survey of Coppermine Brook shows that at Farmington Avenue and by St. Paul Catholic High School the waters are normal but in Forestville, they are rising.

The weather service advises taking the following precautions when encountering rising waters:

  • Do not attempt to drive around barricades or drive through flooded areas.
  • Be careful walking along or near riverbanks.
  • Take extra precautions at night when recognizing the dangers of flooding is more difficult.
  • Turn around, when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.

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