Flash Flooding in Connecticut, January 23 to 24, 1998

With a weak low pressure system moving east across the Ohio Valley and a strong High sliding slowly southeast over Maine, a strong east wind flow developed across the region early Friday morning, January 23rd. As the High moved southeast, the low over Ohio weakened as another low formed over the Southeast U.S. This second low rapidly intensified as it moved northeast, passing over New York City (NYC) late Friday evening. With abundant moisture available, heavy precipitation, mainly heavy rain along with strong gusty winds occurred from Friday afternoon through early Saturday morning.Precipitation began in the form of snow around 7 am. It accumulated up to 3 inches (Wolcott) before it changed to rain during the afternoon. As the low moved toward NYC, heavy showers and thunderstorms formed and spread north across the region. Heavy rainfall from around 2 to 6 inches resulted in widespread river, small stream, and low-lying poor drainage flooding.In New Haven County:The Wepawaug River in Milford rose out of its' banks around 11 pm on January 23rd before cresting more than 2 feet above its' flood stage around 7 am January 24th. The Quinnipiac River in Wallingford rose out of its' banks around midnight on January 24th before cresting at least 2 1/2 feet above flood stage during Saturday morning.In New London CountyNumerous small streams rose out of their banks. The Yantic River in Norwich experienced a 7 foot rise in response to 4 inches of rainfall spread across the watershed. The Norwich Civil Preparedness Director reported flooding of the Fireman's Field upstream of the gage.Here are selected rainfall amounts:o For New Haven County, from 3.05 inches in Milford to 3.70 inches at North Branford.o For New London County, from 2.70 inches at Groton to 5.78 inches at Norwich Middle School.Rainfall amounts were unavailable from Middlesex County.