Weather forecasts predict that as much as two inches of rain could fall this weekend. In the event these rains lead to localized flooding.
East Hartford Mayor Mike Walsh, who has been in municipal and state government for 40 years, said the number of calls made to the town this summer has over-topped the list of residents’ concerns.
“We have had 50 calls between June and now, and they are all the same: Flooded streets and storm drains that are not handling the rainwater.” East Hartford, as a river town, essentially is two towns: One when the Connecticut or Hockanum or local streams such as the Pewter Pot or Porter Brook are flooded, and the other when local streets are under flood stage warning requiring massive pumps to turn on at Cherry and Pitkin streets. “Then we turn on the pumps,” said Walsh.
In 2023 East Hartford has experienced four flood events in 8 weeks: Two 50-year events, one 100-year storm and one 150-year rainfall.
“Unscientifically, in my opinion as the mayor, it’s climate change,” said Mayor Walsh. “Our town’s drainage system is gravity-fed. It fills up. Twenty years ago we re-drew East Hartford’s flood maps.”
As many homeowners know, that put more local roads into expanded flood zones. On Arbutus street, for instance, one side of the street is classified as a flood zone and the other is not. So new homeowners may discover that their home insurance can be higher on one side of the street than the other. Other neighborhoods have backyards into areas where a brook runs into a drain that is inadequate or undersized, and can’t handle the runoff. And they call the town when alarmed by the rising water.
“We have quite literally been inundated,” said Walsh. The town’s Public Works department does not have an emergency number to call, but the town has a Q-Alert system and a My East Hartford app. Those are not emergency reporting sites. “Call 911, or the East Hartford Police non-emergency number – 860-528-4401. Those are your best options,” said the mayor. The dispatchers will alert the public works on-call emergency person.
The City of Hartford offered some tips after neighborhoods, particularly in the city’s North End, experienced heavy and damaging floods due to inadequate storm water runoff. Hartford advises:
Clear any debris from gutters and downspouts to avoid an accumulation of water in and around your property; move furniture and valuables to a safe place, out of a basement or areas that experience flooding; outside on your street, look at the nearest catch basin, and clear debris from the top to allow rainwater to flow freely.
Stay home – do not go for walks, as high winds can carry debris or knock down trees; move cars away from trees that could drop branches and low-lying streets and driveways.
If a wire is downed, always assume it is live, avoid touching it, do not drive over it and do not move it. Call 911.
Both Hartford and East Hartford warn residents to avoid driving through flooded roads.
The Metropolitan District Commission (MDC) now makes it a standard part of major house drain repair at the street to install a backflow valve on all areas deemed to be vulnerable to flooding. The valve prevents water from backing up into basements, damaging buildings and other property. In Hartford where storm drains and sewers are combined, overwhelmed sewers may backup into streets or into buildings.
To report a sewer backup or sewer emergency, contact the MDC Command Center (860) 278-7850 (press 1) or (860) 278-7850 Ext. 3600 (available 24/7).
East Hartford residents may reporting any clogging of the catch basins near your home or business to the police dispatcher or call East Hartford Public Works Dept. at 860-291-7374 and leave a message.
Power outages are reported to Eversource. You can also check on power restoration times by calling 1-800-286-2000 or through Eversource.com.
If you already have a backwater valve, remember to inspect and test it every 6-12 months to ensure it works properly. FMI call the MDC. If chronic flooding in your basement is an issue, consider installing a sump pump.
