Heavy rainfall in parts of Connecticut and Long Island resulted in severe flooding, trapping people and leading to two fatalities. The downpour, which delivered about a foot of rain in some western Connecticut areas, caught drivers off guard and prompted the evacuation of over 100 individuals by search and rescue teams. Authorities identified the victims as Ethelyn Joiner, 65, and Audrey Rostkowski, 71, both residents of Oxford.
Rescue efforts were hindered as floodwaters swept one woman away while firefighters attempted to save her, and another woman succumbed to the rapidly rising waters after trying to cling to a sign. The town of Oxford mourned the tragic losses, with U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal expressing disbelief at the devastation caused by the flooded Little River.
Numerous road closures were reported, including washed-out bridges on routes 34 and 67. The aftermath of the storm also impacted the Waterbury branch of the Metro-North Railroad, leading to closures due to flooding and a mudslide. Connecticut’s Department of Transportation Commissioner emphasized the extensive damage, highlighting the need for thorough inspections of state roadways.
In a display of bravery, Lucas Barber, utilizing wilderness first responder skills, rescued a man with a prosthetic leg and his dog from a car amid the rushing floodwaters. Meanwhile, in Oxford, firefighters employed a ladder as a makeshift bridge to rescue individuals trapped at the Brookside Inn. Additionally, a mudslide in Southbury resulted in the destruction of structures at a poultry farm and the loss of over 100 chickens.
Meteorology experts referred to the relentless thunderstorms as “training thunderstorms,” attributing the excessive rainfall to ideal atmospheric conditions. The storm system, distinct from Hurricane Ernesto, caused widespread havoc but eventually moved on to Long Island, where Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine described hundreds of homes affected by flooding and mudslides.
The disruptive storms led to flight cancellations at Newark Liberty, LaGuardia, and JFK airports, while parts of northern New Jersey experienced minor to moderate flooding. Amtrak services between Philadelphia and New York’s Penn Station were temporarily halted due to track flooding. Despite the significant impact of the storms, no casualties or property damage were reported in New Jersey.
