Community Corner
Irene Pummels Cos Cob, Old Greenwich with Rain, Wind [Video]
Storm surge causes flooding along shore; Mianus River cranking; trees down everywhere.
Hurricane Irene brought heavy rains and 70 mph wind gusts to Greenwich Sunday, toppling trees, taking down power lines and swelling rivers, streams and ponds throughout town.
Although it didn't pack the surprise and ferocity of the "tree-pocalypse" storm of March 2010, which packed winds of 60 mph, brought down thousands of trees and knocked out power throughout most of town, this storm had the added dimension of tidal surge and flooding.
There was especially heavy tidal flooding in Old Greenwich — some properties on Rocky Point Road, Meadowbrook Road and Ledge Road, for example, were seen practically inundated.
Find out what's happening in Greenwichwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Rivers and streams also swelled rapidly: The ponds in Binney Park overflowed onto Sound Beach Avenue — and water was roaring over Mianus Pond Dam at 12 noon.
Even as of 7:30 p.m. there were still occasional strong wind gusts across town, as Irene headed northeast out of the area.
Find out what's happening in Greenwichwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Greenwich Police are advising all residents to stay off the roads tonight as there are many powerlines down throughout town. CL&P workers are expected to begin restoring power starting at 6 a.m. Monday.
For those who were on vacation, planning to go, or making the return trip home, the storm marks an abrupt and bitter end to a summer that seemed too short already: School beings this Thursday, Sept. 1.
