Bridgeport firefighters carry 39 children at daycare to safety during flooding

Fairfield County was among the areas hit by the flash flooding that came through Connecticut on Tuesday.

In Bridgeport, firefighters helped safely reunite 39 children at a daycare with their parents after floodwaters surrounded the Bright Giggles Learning Center on Thompson Street.

“Our tables and picnic tables were flipped upside down, the water kept rising up,” said Sandrie Blanc, director of Bright Giggles Learning Center.

Although the floodwater never entered the building, it surrounded the daycare and covered the backyard.

Blanc called 911 and told 39 families that the daycare would be closing early. But with Thompson Street covered in water, it would require wading through to get out.

That’s when the Bridgeport Fire Department arrived, and Blanc said the chief had a plan.

“He said, as parents were coming, he’ll step into the building and carry them outside to their families,” Blanc said. “The firefighters were very kind, and it made the children feel safe.”

“That was a great thing to see,” said TJ DiCoco, who works on the street.

Neighbors said the firefighters’ efforts were a bright spot during a rainy day.

“They brought all the kids out to the parents instead of [the parents] trudging through the crap,” said DiCoco.

The daycare spent Wednesday cleaning up and plans to reopen Thursday.

Norwalk also spent Tuesday afternoon making rescues.

“Everyone’s trying to get home,” said Sgt. Remon Tejada with the Norwalk Police Department. “Everyone’s trying to get to a meeting or to work or to get their kids, but unfortunately, a few people were trapped in their vehicles, which the water was about three quarters of the way up.”

Norwalk police said the rain and flooding happened quickly. They conducted three car rescues, urging drivers, as always, to turn around when there’s water in the road.

“An additional five minutes of time can save your vehicle and most importantly, can save your life,” Tejada said.

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