Hurricane Sandy Brings Flooding, Outages To Westport

WESTPORT, Conn. – Westport began seeing power outages and flooding Monday afternoon as Hurricane Sandy moved into the state.

Flooding along Riverside Avenue reaches the Sunoco station Monday afternoon.
Photo Credit: *Contributed: Kirsten Woods*

A portion of Riverside Avenue was flooded Monday afternoon following high tide.
Photo Credit: *Contributed: Kirsten Woods*

Flooding on Imperial Avenue Monday afternoon.
Photo Credit: *Contributed: Karen Jacobs*

Flood waters reach the Black Duck Cafe on Riverside Avenue Monday following one of three expected high tide cycles.
Photo Credit: *Contributed: Gina Beranek*

The Saugatuck River overflows its banks near Assumption Church on Riverside Avenue.
Photo Credit: *Contributed: Gina Beranek*

Flood waters from the Saugatuck River flow into Parker Harding Plaza Monday afternoon.
Photo Credit: *Contributed: Gina Beranek*

by Vanessa Inzitari

10/29/2012 12:45 p.m.

Following high tide before noon, several streets became flooded. New Creek /Beachside, Duck Pond/Harbor, Parker Harding Plaza, Riverside Avenue near South Sylvan, Imperial Avenue near Baker and Gault, Kings Highway North from No. 163 to 152, Post Road East at Imperial Avenue, the area near Black Duck Restaurant on Riverside Avenue, Charles Street at Franklin Street, Greens Farms Road /Bulkley, Saugatuck Avenue and Ferry Lane were closed due to flooding, according to the Westport Police Department.

First Selectman Gordon Joseloff said two more high tide cycles are expected to bring more extensive flooding. The most severe flooding is predicted with the high tide at 11:59 p.m., Joseloff said.

"The flooding with this first high tide was just a sign of things to come," he said.

The last high tide, expected at 12:08 p.m. Tuesday, will also bring significant flooding, Joseloff said.

Church Street North was closed due to downed wires.

Post Road West at Route 33 to Kings Highway North was also closed.

Access to the waterfront neighborhoods at Old Mill, Compo Beach and the Saugatuck Shores were closed off to the public beginning at 8 a.m.

Joseloff, who visited the Compo Beach area Monday morning, said water had already breached the sand berm created along the beach to block waves.

“Part of the sand berm has been washed away on Soundview Drive,” he said.

Wave heights between 15 and 20 feet are expected to build on Long Island Sound. As such, Joseloff said he was relieved to see what appeared to be empty homes along the beach during his morning visit.

"I feel many residents did heed our warning," Joseloff said. "Many homes were dark and there were no cars in the driveways. A few people were still around loading up their cars to leave."

To receive emergency updates on the storm, residents are urged to sign up for CodeRed telephone messages. If you signed up for CodeRed in the past, but have not received a message within the past three days, sign up again on the town's website.

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