Flash Flooding in Connecticut, August 11 to 12, 2000

A series of thunderstorms developed and dissipated as they moved very slowly over an area covering East Bridgeport and Stratford. Torrential rain caused widespread serious flash flooding of low lying areas, poor drainage areas, and small streams. Rainfall amounts varied from around 4 to up to 7.5 inches. The Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS) at Bridgeport Sikorsky Airport measured: a Storm Total Precipitation of 4.28 inches and 3.99 inches on August 11th, which broke the old record of 3.44 inches set in 1989. Rainfall amounts in Stratford ranged from around 6.00 inches (reported by a spotter) to 6.30 inches at the Stratford Pumping Station. National Weather Service (NWS) radar estimated the heaviest rainfall rates were from 3.5 to 4 inches per hour, when rain fell in "sheets" from around midnight to around 12:45 am EDT over the Stratford Center. Up to 7.5 inches of rain fell in less than 2 hours, which easily surpassed a 100-year storm event for this area.These torrential rainfall rates and record breaking rainfall amounts resulted in massive flooding in the East Bridgeport and Stratford area. Property damage was extensive in this area. Flood damages included both residential and business structures as well as public facilities. A total of 471 residences were flooded: 447 suffered basement flooding and 24 suffered first floor flooding. Pumps were required to remove several feet of water in hundreds of basements. Only 8 of 471 residences carried flood insurance. A total of 60 businesses were flooded, where water accumulated up to 5 feet. About 30 businesses carried flood insurance.In addition, in East Bridgeport, three schools suffered roof failures. In Stratford, 2 police cruisers, 4 ambulances, and 1 utility vehicle were damaged during rescue attempts. The Connecticut Office of Emergency Management conducted a flood damage assessment of this region and provided the NWS with the aforementioned information.The primary watersheds affected by excessive runoff were Tanners Brook, Long Brook, and Bruce Brook, which easily met 100 year flood frequencies. Flood waters from Long Brook, which flows through Stratford Center, rose to the 6 foot level on the Hurricane Evacuation sign on Main Street near the I95 overpass. Flooding in the Bruce Brook watershed, which is west of Stratford, was mainly residential.From Bridgeport to Stratford, serious widespread flash flooding occurred. Water quickly ponded up to car windows, trapping many people in their cars. Water flooded many basements and first floors of houses and businesses. Numerous man hole covers were blown off road surfaces.Flash flooding of low-lying and poor drainage areas (including many streets) was also reported in Milford and in Darien by local and state Police agencies.