Flood warning in effect for Connecticut River after heavy rains
A flood warning for the Connecticut River that extends from Enfield through Hartford is in effect until late Monday morning, according to the National Weather Service.
The warning said minor flooding is forecast and that portions of the river may continue to flood, according to the NWS. The river is expected to rise above the flood stage of 15 feet.
The NWS said lowland flooding will begin along the river near the Thompsonville section of Enfield. Minor flooding impacts may be seen downstream as far as Haddam, the NWS said.
'The river is expected to rise above flood stage late tonight to a crest of 15.4 feet early tomorrow afternoon. It will then fall below flood stage early Monday morning,' according to a flood warning from the NWS.
The flooding is due to a series of heavy rainfall events that swelled the river over the last few days, according to officials.
In Connecticut, minor flooding shut down roads Friday. Officials in Old Lyme warned drivers to avoid Cross Lane for most of the day on Friday due to flooding. In Wolcott, flooding caused a police officer to have to be rescued after his cruiser slid into a pond, officials said.
The NWS said areas that may be affected by flooding include roads along the river, parks, and recreation areas. Weather officials noted that most flooding deaths occur in vehicles and urge drivers to never try to drive through flooded roads.
Stephen Underwood can be reached at sunderwood@courant.com
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