By: Brianna Wallen
Editor-in-Chief
Connecticut was hit with heavy rain, strong winds and coastal flooding over the weekend as a nor’easter stormed through the state.
The National Weather Service reported that coastal flooding left more than two feet of water covering some streets in South Milford on Saturday, Sept. 26 at 10:30 a.m.
NWS also documented coastal flooding near Tweed New Haven Airport about thirty minutes later.
The following day, NWS reported wind gusts reaching 49 mph near Tweed New Haven airport.
The storm is part of a weather pattern that can affect the East Coast during several months of the year, according to NWS.
“A nor’easter is a storm along the East Coast of North America, so called because the winds over the coastal area are typically from the northeast,” NWS stated. “These storms may occur at any time of year but are most frequent and most violent between September and April.”
Rainfall continued to pour across New Haven County throughout the weekend.
According to NWS, an automated weather station about four miles northwest of Hamden recorded 2.81 inches of rain over a 72-hour period ending at 8:50 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 27. The total represents accumulated rainfall over three days.
Before the storm, NWS announced that a wind advisory was in effect from 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25 through 6 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 27 for southern Connecticut.
“Strong winds and rough seas along with a prolonged period of steady rain across the region are expected through this weekend,” NWS said. “Beach erosion, coastal flooding and wind damage including downed limbs and power outages are our main concerns.”
The storm also affected electric service across the region.
As of Sunday night, Eversource reported between 7,500 active power outages statewide.
While parts of the state experienced significant flooding and strong winds, the storm had a less severe impact in New Haven. This left some students surprised by how little they experienced.
“The storm wasn’t as bad as I expected,” marketing major Juwell Clay, a senior, said.
Clay said she expected the campus to experience a power outage.
A campus announcement was sent to staff and students on Friday, Sept. 25, outlining precautions ahead of the storm.
“Because of the potential for high winds, heavy rain, flooding, falling limbs, and debris, please move all vehicles remaining on campus this weekend to a parking garage,” the announcement said
Campus community members were also asked to lock their windows both in classrooms and residence halls following the storm.
Residence Life also issues their own weather advisory on Friday.
“While Nor’easters and severe coastal storms are not uncommon in New England, they can create rapidly changing and potentially dangerous conditions,” the email stated. “Please take this storm seriously, exercise good judgment, remain aware of your surroundings and avoid unnecessary risks.”
