Storms flood New Haven roads, delay flights at Tweed Airport
Heavy rain moved through Connecticut on Monday, flooding roads in New Haven, delaying flights at Tweed New Haven Airport and prompting officials to warn drivers to avoid standing water.
Some of the worst flooding was reported along Middletown Avenue, where vehicles struggled to make their way through high water and some became stranded. The road appeared more like a lake because of the flooding.
New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker urged drivers to stay off flooded roads.
“We really ask people to not drive through deep water because you could get stuck and could put you in a dangerous situation and our emergency workers have to pull you out of there,” Elicker said.
The storms also forced the terminal at Tweed New Haven Airport to close for a few hours. The terminal reopened later Monday evening, but passengers experienced flight delays.
Some travelers said they were trying to stay positive despite the disruptions.
“It’s just a crazy day. We’re heading down to Myrtle Beach on vacation, so we hope it clears up quick but pack your patience,” Brett Kustigian of Massachusetts said.
“I wish everybody good luck,” Deborah Darby of South Carolina said.
Elicker said the city prepared for the storm by placing barricades in flood-prone areas, including near IKEA by Brewery and Sargent streets.
He said the rainfall had been steady throughout much of the evening, helping limit the overall impact compared with previous storms.
“The rain has generally been steady. It hasn’t come down in torrential pouring at any particular time period. It’s been steady,” Elicker said.
In neighboring West Haven, officials closed flood gates under some bridges to keep people away from areas vulnerable to flooding.
“We’ve got a lot of ponding over the roadway and just pretty messy here down by the shore,” Rick Fontana, emergency management director with the City of West Haven, said.
StormTracker Meteorologist Steve Glazier said rain was expected to continue, with New Haven potentially receiving up to another inch of rainfall. Elicker said the city was prepared to respond if conditions worsened.
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