Flash Flood and Heavy Rain in Connecticut, August 29, 1997

A cold front moving very slowly across Connecticut caused an area of showers and thunderstorms that produced intense rainfall amounts of 3 to 6 inches in 1 to 3 hours across parts of Hartford County. A flash flood occurred in Manchester where Bigelow Brook rose at least 6 feet out of its banks, flooding roads and basements. Sixteen homes received extensive water damage. A majority of these had basement flooding. Three homes had total basement failure or collapse. One home was completely flooded out of commission. Many residents had to be evacuated to local shelters. Electric power was disrupted for 1,200 customers. A local shopping area also was flooded. An estimated 6 to 12 automobiles received extensive water damage when water rose to at least as high as the windows. Property damage was likely a half of a million dollars. Maximum rainfall totals reached 5 to 6 inches in the area of the flash flood and there was extensive urban street flooding in addition to the flash flood. The cloudburst was really confined to Manchester. Only one town away in Vernon, there was heavy rain but no flooding was reported.