Event narrative (NOAA)
Four to ten inches of heavy rain from Tropical Storm Irene resulted in the Pequabuck River overflowing its banks. This led to flooding on roads and homes along the river throughout Bristol. Flooded roads ran approximately three and a half feet deep. A 46 year old man went canoeing in floodwaters. He drowned when his canoe capsized and he was unable to make it to shore. At least 50 people were evacuated from areas around the river, and took shelter at Chippens Hill Middle School. The river flooding undermined at least 7 feet of Route 72 eastbound, washing out this portion of the road. Numerous houses and businesses were affected by the flooding. Forty high water rescues took place in Bristol.
Other notable flood events in Connecticut
Source: NOAA/NCEI Storm Events Database. Deaths and injuries are those NOAA classifies as direct. Damage is the reporting office's estimate at the time and is not inflation-adjusted. This is a catalogue record, not a forecast.