Severe flooding struck parts of southwestern Connecticut after receiving up to 10 inches (25.4 centimeters) of rain, resulting in at least one confirmed fatality. The fire chief in Oxford reported that a woman's body was recovered following her disappearance during the storm, while crews continued to search for another woman who was swept away during a rescue attempt.
Firefighters in Oxford successfully rescued 18 individuals from a restaurant by using a ladder to navigate the floodwaters. The situation was dire, with water completely surrounding the establishment and concerns about its structural integrity due to floating cars and large objects colliding with the building.
Before rescuing the group from the restaurant, firefighters had already saved a woman and a small dog from an adjacent apartment. Fortunately, all 18 individuals rescued from the Brookside Inn emerged unharmed from the ordeal.
The National Weather Service indicated that the storms brought significant rainfall to Connecticut, with some areas receiving up to 10 inches (25.4 centimeters) of precipitation. Additionally, a subsequent round of storms affected Suffolk County on Long Island, prompting a flash flood warning for various counties in Connecticut.
Authorities clarified that the flooding was not linked to Hurricane Ernesto, which was located over the Atlantic Ocean at the time. Despite its distance, the hurricane was expected to generate powerful swells, hazardous surf conditions, and rip currents along the East Coast of the United States.
