Severe weather hit Connecticut and Long Island over the weekend, bringing torrential rains that transformed streets into raging rivers, trapping residents in vehicles and buildings, and ultimately claiming the lives of two women.
The intense rainfall, which reached up to a foot (30 cm) in some areas, struck late Sunday and continued into early Monday, catching many off guard.
In Oxford, Connecticut, a town about 35 miles southwest of Hartford, the bodies of two women, Ethelyn Joiner, 65, and Audrey Rostkowski, 71, were recovered after their cars were overwhelmed by floodwaters.
Despite the efforts of firefighters, who attempted to rescue them, the women were swept away by the surging Little River. Oxford Fire Chief Scott Pelletier described the scene as devastating, with one woman being carried away despite clinging to a sign for safety.
Severe floods in Long Island and Connecticut turn roads into rivers, causing widespread devastation.The severe weather prompted Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont to declare a state of emergency, as over 100 people were evacuated by search and rescue teams.
Numerous roads in the region were closed due to washed-out bridges, and parts of routes 34 and 67 were severely affected. The Waterbury branch of the Metro-North Railroad also remained shut down due to flooding and mudslides.
In a dramatic rescue, firefighters in Oxford saved 18 people trapped inside the Brookside Inn, utilizing a ladder stretched across floodwaters. Additionally, a woman and her small dog were rescued from a neighboring apartment.
On Long Island, similar destruction was reported, with hundreds of homes flooded and vehicles buried in mudslides. The storms also caused significant travel disruptions, with over 450 flights canceled across major New York-area airports.
The storm system, described by experts as “training thunderstorms,” brought unprecedented rainfall to the area, exacerbating the already severe conditions. As recovery efforts begin, officials warn that it will be a long and challenging process.