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10/24/2018 09:00 AMThe overnight flooding on Sept. 25 did more than trigger an evacuation below the Kelseytown Dam—it raised questions and complaints about how it was determined that an evacuation was required, how information about it was disseminated, and how the evacuation itself was carried out. For many, the event left more questions about possible emergencies in the future. To address those issues, the town is holding a special public meeting in Town Hall at 7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 29.
Representatives from the town’s Emergency Response team will be present for the meeting as well as representatives from the Connecticut Water Company, Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection and the Lochwood Lake Improvement District.
The meeting is intended to clarify misconceptions about the events that occurred that night, field questions from the community, and recognize the service of those who helped that night.
Heavy rainfall overnight on Sept. 25 caused evacuations on several streets in the Kelseytown Bridge area of Clinton due to fears about the safety of a dam in the area. According to the National Weather Service, Clinton had received 5.28 inches of rain by 8:45 p.m. that day. Representatives from Connecticut Water Company said that the five inches of rain received in a three-hour period is the equivalent of a 200-year storm. Additionally, the representatives said that the water reached four inches below the top of the dam.
Several residents who were evacuated that evening were told to go to Town Hall and then to hotels in the area. The dam was later deemed safe and evacuations ended at 11 a.m. Sept. 26. Public Works Director Peter Neff, estimated that the storm and flooding caused $777,800 worth of damage.