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'Unprecedented' | CT River flooding destroys farm, closes park

Almost all of the crops at Botticello Farms in Glastonbury are now under water.

CONNECTICUT, USA — Botticello Farms, dealt a devastating blow this week.

"I took all of our money and put it in the ground and I was gonna say I hope it grows, and it did, it was beautiful it was looking great and then this happened," said owner, Tony Botticello.

Located along the Connecticut River in Glastonbury, almost all of the crops are now under water because of flooding.

"I came down this morning and we’re buried," Botticello said. "This is unprecedented in July, I mean we just started picking stuff and what do I do?" he said.

Botticello said they grew about 120 acres this year, about half of that is corn. Some of it that is on higher ground may be able to be salvaged.

"Out of 60 acres if I end up with 30, I’d be pretty happy with that. I don’t know if it’s going to happen though," he said.

However, the water keeps rising.

"It’s in the hundreds of thousands that we’re not going to get back," Botticello said. "You gotta have stuff to sell, and I don’t know if I will," he said.

Further up the river in East Hartford, Great River Park is closed due to flooding there.

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"Oh I’m surprised, surprised. I’ve never seen it like this before," said Gregory Townsend of Hartford.

The town said its Sounds of Summer concert scheduled for Thursday has been cancelled since the water has taken over the park including the amphitheater area where concerts are held.

"It’s bad. You see all the water, you can’t even see the bridge jetty so it’s pretty bad," Townsend said.

With more rain in the forecast later this week there is concern about what that could mean.

"More rain coming on Friday so who knows? Might be big flooding somewhere else," Townsend said.

The town of East Hartford said crews are expected to be at the park Thursday and Friday to begin the cleanup process once the water levels start to recede.

Gaby Molina is a reporter and anchor at FOX61 News. She can be reached at mmolina@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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