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10/02/2018 12:00 AMThis year—having already racked up major snow storms, freezing temperatures, heat waves—can now add flooding to the roster. Torrential rains on Sept. 25 caused some localized flooding in Deep River and Essex, while in Chester the downpours took a heavier toll.
In Chester, a bridge collapsed, roads gave way and were closed, stores flooded, and some residents were evacuated. In the aftermath of the unexpected heavy rain, the town busied itself assessing damages and making a plan for remedies.
“This week’s storm once again has tested the grit and resilience of many of our residents and merchants. Our firemen, EMTs, fire marshal, emergency management director, and others have been nothing short of heroic in their efforts to keep us safe,” Chester First Selectman Lauren Gister wrote in a townwide email. “From floating propane tanks to collapsed bridges, washed out roads, and flooded basements and stores, we have and are continuing to come together as a community to provide each other assistance and support.”
Deep River was affected as well, although not as much as Chester.
“We had a few minor problem spots in town—one was on Cedar Swamp Road where a stream overwhelmed the culvert and washed out under the road—but for the most part we were fine compared to Chester,” said Deep River First Selectman Angus McDonald.
“I am just glad this wasn’t snow,” he added.
“My heart goes out to the Chester community,” said Essex First Selectman Norm Needleman. “Essex narrowly escaped any major damages from the excessive rain. We got lucky this time.”
However, Falls River Drive in Ivoryton was briefly closed as the bridge headed into that subdivision was underwater.
That inconvenience doesn’t compare to the destruction Chester experienced. The Liberty Street Bridge was rendered completely unusable and water from Cedar Lake flowed across 148 onto the other side of the street, making travel in the area very difficult.
“We lost our beach,” said Gister, noting that several areas in the village were also inundated. “The land trust property behind the Herbery was completely underwater.”
The flooding from this weather incident was markedly different from past experiences, which were often due to the Connecticut River overflowing, and high tide; this was instead a case of waterways throughout town simply being overwhelmed with an excess amount of water in a very short amount of time.
“The water got so high downtown on Water Street where the Wheat Market is that the propane tanks in the back of some of the buildings down there were floating and one...twisted and the valve broke, leaking gas into the water, so residents in the apartments there were evacuated and the businesses were closed,” explained Gister. “Once the water levels receded, the Department of Environmental & Energy Protection and the fire department were able to safely wade through the water and make sure the valve was closed. They then tested the businesses and units on that side of the street to make sure there was no escaping gas in the buildings.”
In regard to the Liberty Street Bridge, Gister said it was not a bridge marked as being in need prior to the heavy rain.
“It really was a case of the water just being too violent and running too fast and the structure couldn’t take it,” said Gister, who is currently researching ways to find funding for the repair project.
Over on Goose Hill, at the Kings Highway intersection, a brook swelled so much, that it undermined the road, turning a two-way road into a one lane. Throughout town, there were countless driveways washed away. The dges of roads were gouged out by the heavy volume of fast moving water, causing quagmires all over the place.
During the clean-up, Gister found a silver lining in the experience. She said it touched her heart to see the residents supporting one another and helping each other recover from the damages.
“We even had a manufacturer in town send a team to help out a business owner clear her inventory from a flooded business. To my knowledge these businesses did not have a relationship before the flooding so, if nothing else, this experience has brought our community even closer together,” said Gister, who also praised the land trust for gathering a group together for a clean-up effort last Sunday.
Gister encourages area residents to help out by shopping in Chester this weekend for the First Friday celebration and help the merchants recover.
“Tell your friends—make it a party!” Gister said.
She also encourages residents to make sure to sign up for town emails and emergency alerts.
“Winter is coming and we are trying to get better responding to emergency situations. Having everyone connected is one way we can achieve that.”
Find information about signing up for Chester’s alert emails at chesterct.org.