Water Woes: Up to Another 3 Inches of Rain Expected

Updated 4:15 p.m.

With warnings of possible severe flooding with up to three inches of rain forecast to fall, The Town of Greenwich activated its reverse 911 emergency telephone system Wednesday afternoon.

First Selectman Peter Tesei said, "We wanted to advise residents of the forecast of heavy rain and those living in low-lying areas take the precautions to protect their property." On the heels of three inches of weekend rain and snow melt runoff, local streams and the Byram River spilled over their banks causing some flooding conditions in yards and basements.

Emergency management officials have said they are concerned that the thawing ground is saturated creating a high water table, creating flooding conditions.

Tesei said that there is potential for flooding to reach the severe levels of 2007. It was four years ago this month that residents in the Byran River watershed saw the river rise swiftly, causing severe damage to many homes in the Pemberwick and Glenville areas along the river.

Tesei said officials will monitor the pending storm to determine whether it will be necessary to activate the town's emergency operations center.

The town also issued these guidelines:

FLOODING:

• If your home or workplace is flooding, turn off the furnace and the gas valve at the appliance. Do not handle energized electrical equipment in wet areas. If meter goes under water, shut off the gas valves and all appliances.  Be sure to have the electrical system thoroughly checked and repaired before use.  Additional information can be obtained by calling Connecticut Natural Gas at 203‑869‑6900.

• Never try to cross a flooded area on foot. The water may be unsanitary, the water may be fast running and there could be power lines down.

• If you are in a car, avoid driving through floodwaters. Fast water could sweep your car away. However, if you are caught in fast rising waters and your vehicle stalls, leave the car.

• Private wells that have been flooded must be disinfected and sampled before use. It is important to wait until flood waters have receded to the point where waste disposal and septic systems can operate normally. A well drilling company can arrange this service – drink bottled water in the meantime. Well disinfection procedures are available by contacting the Department of Health’s Division of Environmental Services at (203)-622-7838.

• Wait until flood waters are below basement level before trying to drain or pump the basement.

• Never allow children to play in flood waters. Flood waters are considered contaminated. Clean all toys and equipment with a disinfectant or discard them.

• All clothing, curtains, bedding, etc. should be washed with hot, soapy water, than bleached if possible. Furniture and floors may be rinsed with clean water after washing with soap and water; disinfect if possible. (See other printed material entitled- Cleaning and Repairing flooded basements, Recommendations for equipment, furniture and appliance cleaning.

• Do not handle electrical equipment in wet areas
• Wear protective clothing while cleaning up debris
• All food items exposed to flood waters should be discarded.  Cans and conventional jars free of rust or dents must be washed and sanitized before they are opened.  If you are in doubt, throw it out. Call (203)-622-7838 with further questions.

• Cooperate with local officials on all emergency responses.

Emergency Supplies

• Candles, flashlights and battery-powered radios
• First Aid Items:  bandages, blankets, First Aid handbook and all special medicines
• A supply of non-perishable goods that require no cooking or refrigeration and a can opener
• A minimum of one-gallon of water per person a day
• Materials such as wire, rope, chlorine disinfectant, fire extinguishers, extra blankets, lumber and sandbags

Original story:

Just as the waters are receding there’s more rain on the way.

The Greenwich region is soaked above the water line with the 3.5 inches of rain that fell over the weekend, compounded by snow melt from near record snowfall this season. All of that, plus the ground still frozen, won’t help Mother Nature that’s expected to drop up to another three inches of rain Thursday and Friday.

“We’re looking at problems that could be more be widespread flooding than we had over the weekend,” Greenwich Emergency Management Director Dan Warzoha told Greenwich Patch.

He said his office is monitoring storm weather models with the state Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security. DEMHS is providing periodic updates on its website (http://www.ct.gov/demhs/site/default.asp) as well.

On Monday, several areas along the waterlogged Byram River watershed along Riversville Road from Sherwood Avenue, south to the center of Glenville and where it leads to Long Island Sound were awash with water that had no place to go.

And the same is expected for the remainder of the week.

“Our areas of concern are the standard areas,” Warzoha said. “The Byram River, Horseneck Brook and Strickland Book.”

The potential for more flooding comes on the eve of the first anniversary of the March 12, 2010 storm which brought the town to a standstill with a deluge of rain driven by winds that gusted up to 81 mph, toppling trees, power poles and wires, cutting off power to 80 percent of the town’s Connecticut Light & Power customers.

It was a week before the town lifted its state of emergency that had legions of residents seeking refuge for heat and electricity in the town’s libraries and he Bendheim Western Greenwich Civic Center.

For the remainder of this week, rain is expected to begin late Wednesday and continue through Friday morning. Daytime highs will be in the 40s with winds blowing up to 20 mph.