VERNON, Conn — The rain came and with it, came problems. Flash floods, stranded vehicles, and even people. Daybreak shed light on the impact of Ida’s remnants across Connecticut.
In Vernon alone they received six inches of rain, making a mess of the roads and forcing a mass evacuation effort. "It's literally overwhelming our infrastructure," said Vernon Town Administrator and Emergency Management Director Michael Puraco.
FOX61 saw a submerged Bobcat loader in a sinkhole created by the erosion of rushing water. We also witnessed a stuck utility truck. "Getting some of these people through the water was our goal today," said Sgt. Robert Marra of the Vernon Police Department.
One hundred and fourteen guests at the Motel 6 in Vernon became stranded as Ida’s remnants swelled the nearby Hockanum River, eventually, overflowing its banks. "There were people pulling their hair out, going 'What are we going to do and how are we going to get to work?'" explained Jeremiah Eastman, a guest at the Motel 6.
Emergency responders evacuated guests via a makeshift on-ramp to I-84. "The last time we did this was about 15 years ago. We’ve done it twice now in the past month. It’s a sign of the times," said Puraco.
All the recent practice with severe weather made business owners like Chad Longo of Cunliffe Auto more prepared. Sandbags were stacked around the entryway to his shop. "Those things are worth their weight in gold in situations like this," he said.
But the sandbags didn’t keep all the water out. The was a water line on his walls about a foot high, and he can't seem to find his dumpster. "Dumpster is missing. MIA. Gone."
Ida’s aftermath left its mark on Connecticut in what’s been a summer of wild weather, even by New England standards. Gayle Block, the owner of Town & Country Veterinary in Vernon said, "I've been here for 30 years I've owned this practice and this is the third time it’s happened but twice in the last week."
The Motel 6 also had to be evacuated when Henri hit Connecticut. We’re told that most of the guests who had to be evacuated from the Motel 6 have since returned now that the floodwater has receded.