The Bridgeport Police Department responded to approximately 100 flood-related calls during a period of five hours Sunday morning after heavy rains rapidly inundated the entire city.
Many of the calls were for stranded vehicles in flooded intersections, after motorists attempted to drive through the water. Numerous drivers abandoned their vehicles that were disabled by flooding in dangerous places in the road. Those vehicles had to be towed.
There were also many calls for severe water leaks in homes and commercial properties.
The flooding and leaks also created traffic congestion in many neighborhoods.
Some of areas hardest hit by flooding were the Rooster River area in the North End, East Main Street and Crescent Avenue on the East Side, Bishop Avenue. and Connecticut Avenue in the East End, Park Avenue and State Street in the South End, Commerce Drive on the West Side and Maplewood Avenue on the West Side.
The Bridgeport Police deployed as many patrol cars as possible to block off intersections and assist residents, while still being able to handle other emergencies and routine calls.
“We have compassion for the residents and businesses owners affected by the intense rain,” said Bridgeport Police Chief Roderick Porter. “We also continue to advise motorists to not drive through flooded streets in the future. A small amount of water can put your safety and the safety of first responders in jeopardy.”
Chief Porter added: “Our patrol supervisors, officers and our Emergency Management personnel did a great job of handling the storm.”
According to Bridgeport’s Emergency Management Center, a large wave of rain swept over the city between 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Sunday.
Bridgeport residents are encouraged to sign-up for Reverse 911 weather alerts on their cell phones by texting Bridgeport to 67283. They can also report flooding by downloading and using the 311 app.