Officials advise drivers to never drive through flooded areas of the roadway. If you come across a water-covered roadway or a roadblock, turn around. Multiple towns and cities reported emergency calls due to vehicles stuck in flood waters.
Evacuations were underway around midnight in Clinton along the Indian River according to the Clinton Police Department. The Volunteer Fire Department reported water rushing over roads in town, including Route 81 and River Road. The Indian River in Clinton swelled to its highest level since 1982 after more than 7 inches of rain.
As of Wednesday morning, police said much of the water receded off the roads, but they urge people to be cautious and not drive around barricades.
Connecticut Water said the rapid rise of the Kelseytown Reservoir in Clinton prompted the evacuation of residents downstream in Clinton and Westbrook until engineers can check the dam. They said the tap water is safe to drink. The evacuation order has been lifted as of 11 a.m.
The Housatonic River rose five to 10 feet above normal and boat crews throughout region five searched for a vehicle that might be submerged in the river in North Canaan, according to Jon Barbagallo, the public information officer in Norfolk, said. Crews returned from the search early Wednesday morning and wull continue the search later in the morning.
In southeastern Connecticut, swollen rivers continued to rise.
The Yantic River in Norwich is above flood stage and is expected to reach "major flooding" benchmarks by daybreak. Flooding is expected along West Town Street in Yantic Flats and around the Norwichtown Mall.
Around 3:30 a.m. Wednesday, Yantic Fire Engine Company 1 rescued two people from an RV near Norwichtown Mall after the river overflowed and surrounded the vehicle.
Into the night, first responders scrambled to rescue drivers trapped by rising waters on dark and impassable roads.
Lebanon firefighters reported multiple calls for help Tuesday night and encouraged drivers to stay off the roads if possible and use extreme caution.
In North Haven, the roadway at Kings Highway at Mount Carmel Road collapsed due to the flooding.
Middletown firefighters say they were called in to rescue a person stranded on a flooded car on Route 9. The highway was shut down but has since reopened.
@IAmTwoWheeler
This photo posted on social media shows emergency crews rescuing students from a school bus in Stamford, Conn. during flash flooding Tuesday.
In Stamford, fire officials asked residents to stay off the road as they worked to make "dozens" of water rescues. Photos posted on social media show emergency crews rescuing students from a school bus stuck on Dale Street off Cove Road.
NBC Connecticut
Flooding damaged a bridge in Chester.
NBC Boston
Flooding damaged a bridge in Chester.
NBC Connecticut
The storms Tuesday brought heavy rain and it caused damage by the Goodspeed Opera House.
NBC Connecticut
The rehearsal building for the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam sustained heavy damage.
NBC Connecticut
The rehearsal building for the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam sustained heavy damage.
Andy Dadio
Flooding at the intersection of Route 5 and Center Street in Wallingford on Tuesday evening.
NBC Connecticut
Another look at the Yantic River after heavy rain.
NBC Connecticut
The Yantic River is extremely high this afternoon.
NBC Connecticut
Dixie Donuts
Submitted
This is by the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam.
NBC Connecticut
This is the Yantic River in Norwich after flooding Tuesday night.
News 12 CT
NBC Connecticut
This is the Yantic River in Norwich after flooding Tuesday night.
Andy Dadio
Flooding at the intersection of Route 5 and Center Street in Wallingford on Tuesday evening.
@IAmTwoWheeler
This photo posted on social media shows emergency crews rescuing students from a school bus on Dale Street in Stamford, Conn. during flash flooding Tuesday.
NBC Connecticut
This is the Yantic River in Norwich after flooding Tuesday night.
NBC Connecticut
This is the Yantic River in Norwich after flooding Tuesday night.
@IAmTwoWheeler
This photo posted on social media shows emergency crews rescuing students from a school bus on Dale Street in Stamford, Conn. during flash flooding Tuesday.
@darien_police
"As we’ve previously mentioned, please do not attempt to drive through flooded areas. Bottom photo of Heights Rd courtesy of @palmersmarket #darienpolice#darienct"
NBC CT
Hamden's Town Center Park
NBC Connecticut
Flash flooding on Sodom Lane in Derby.
Radoslaw Przygodzki
Flash flooding in Fairfield, Conn.
Andy Dadio
Flooding at the intersection of Route 5 and Center Street in Wallingford on Tuesday evening.
Contributed Photos
Flooding in a first-floor hallway at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield
Contributed Photos
Flooding in a classroom at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield
Richard Connors
Richard Connors
Submitted
Another look near the Goodspeed Opera House.
Westport firefighters rescued two adults and two children from vehicles that were swept off the road by floodwaters. Crews had to break a window to extricate one victim, but no injuries were reported.
Town of Westport Fire Department
Westport firefighters rescued two adults and two children from vehicles that were swept off the road by floodwaters. Crews had to break a window to extricate one victim, but no injuries were reported.
Darien police also warned drivers to avoid flooded areas and posted photos of flooded areas. Officials in Westport, Hamden, Shelton and Bridgeport also reported flooding issues.
Street flooding in Darien, Conn. Video courtesy of: Justin Mass
Part of Interstate 95 was flooded near exit 16 in Norwalk. Traffic cameras showed vehicles driving through the flooded section of the highway, and one vehicle appeared to be stuck in the water.
Many local roads remain closed while officials wait for floodwaters to recede.
In North Haven, Hartford Turnpike was closed between Mansfield Road and Upper State Street because power lines are across the road and it was expected to be closed for several hours.
The weather also caused Metro-North delays.
For more on the severe weather threat, click here.
NBC Connecticut
Flooding damaged a bridge in Chester.
NBC Boston
Flooding damaged a bridge in Chester.
NBC Connecticut
The storms Tuesday brought heavy rain and it caused damage by the Goodspeed Opera House.
NBC Connecticut
The rehearsal building for the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam sustained heavy damage.
NBC Connecticut
The rehearsal building for the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam sustained heavy damage.
Andy Dadio
Flooding at the intersection of Route 5 and Center Street in Wallingford on Tuesday evening.
NBC Connecticut
Another look at the Yantic River after heavy rain.
NBC Connecticut
The Yantic River is extremely high this afternoon.
NBC Connecticut
Dixie Donuts
Submitted
This is by the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam.
NBC Connecticut
This is the Yantic River in Norwich after flooding Tuesday night.
News 12 CT
NBC Connecticut
This is the Yantic River in Norwich after flooding Tuesday night.
Andy Dadio
Flooding at the intersection of Route 5 and Center Street in Wallingford on Tuesday evening.
@IAmTwoWheeler
This photo posted on social media shows emergency crews rescuing students from a school bus on Dale Street in Stamford, Conn. during flash flooding Tuesday.
NBC Connecticut
This is the Yantic River in Norwich after flooding Tuesday night.
NBC Connecticut
This is the Yantic River in Norwich after flooding Tuesday night.
@IAmTwoWheeler
This photo posted on social media shows emergency crews rescuing students from a school bus on Dale Street in Stamford, Conn. during flash flooding Tuesday.
@darien_police
"As we’ve previously mentioned, please do not attempt to drive through flooded areas. Bottom photo of Heights Rd courtesy of @palmersmarket #darienpolice#darienct"
NBC CT
Hamden's Town Center Park
NBC Connecticut
Flash flooding on Sodom Lane in Derby.
Radoslaw Przygodzki
Flash flooding in Fairfield, Conn.
Andy Dadio
Flooding at the intersection of Route 5 and Center Street in Wallingford on Tuesday evening.
Contributed Photos
Flooding in a first-floor hallway at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield
Contributed Photos
Flooding in a classroom at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield
Richard Connors
Richard Connors
Submitted
Another look near the Goodspeed Opera House.
