UPDATE (5:45 pm): First Selectman Jeff Capeci has proclaimed a state of emergency.

Due to the severe weather conditions occurring that are affecting Newtown and other areas of the state, Capeci on Sunday afternoon issued a notice stating that due to “potential rainfall and inland flooding over a period of time” … and “due to the potential of closed roadways; sewer capacity issues and impact to life and properties exists and thus necessitates the proclamation” of the local declaration.

During the state of emergency, the document stated, “the First Selectman shall exercise those powers, functions and duties prescribed by State law, the Town Charter, and all applicable ordinances, resolutions, special acts, and the town Emergency Operations Plan in order to minimize the effect of said emergency.”

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UPDATE (5:10 pm): At 5 pm Sunday, The National Weather Service extended its Flash Flood Emergency to 7 pm.

“This is an extremely dangerous and life-threatening situation. Do not attempt to travel unless you are fleeing an area subject to flooding or under an evacuation order.”

The Town of Newtown also issued a second CodeRED around the same time, with Communications Director Maureen Will saying the rain had “slightly subsided, however more rain is expected tonight. Some roadways are open. Others have been impacted by the rain.

“Residents are strongly encouraged not to travel unnecessarily. Roads in your neighborhoods have been impacted with downed limbs and debris, shutting down some areas of egress. Residents are asked to please stay at home and shelter in place.

“If emergency services are needed, please call 911. If you must drive, do so with caution, wipers on, headlights on, and do not drive through standing water.

“Emergency services are doing the best that they can to clear the roadways. Other communities are also experiencing these same conditions.

“Again, this is a CodeRED. More rain is expected. Please stay home, stay safe, and if you need us, call 911.”

Multiple roads — including sections of South Main Street/Route 25 near Sand Hill Plaza and Hawleyville Road/Route 25 at Currituck — are fully closed. Road closure and detour signs are in place.

First responders have been sent to numerous car rescues after operators attempted to drive through high waters.

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Amid heavy rains that have been falling for hours, Newtown residents are being urged to remain where they are.

Newtown Emergency Communications Director Maureen Will has issued at CodeRED asking residents to stay in place and not drive through any standing water.

“As you are aware we are experiencing heavy rain in the area, and the town is experiencing some flooding issues,” opened Will’s message, issued around 2 pm Sunday, August 18. “Please, if you do not have to go out today, do not go out.

“If you are going out, please do not drive through standing water. You do not know how deep it is. I repeat, there is flooding in the town of Newtown. The police, fire, and emergency services are aware, and they are out, doing what they can do, but we are advising residents: If you do not need to go out, please stay home, and if you are out, do not drive through standing water.

“Any emergencies, please call Dispatch at 911,” the message concluded.

Multiple Flash Flood Warnings had been issued by the National Weather Service Sunday morning.

Public Works crews had already been out by mid-Sunday morning, responding to localized flooding concerns.

As heavier rain moved into the area, additional calls for help were made to Newtown’s Dispatch center, reporting flooded roads, basements, collapsing walls, and, around 3:15 Sunday afternoon, a pair of propane tanks floating in Lake Zoar near Andras Road. The NWS Flood Warning for that area — Housatonic River at Stevenson Dam — is in effect until Monday morning.

Flooding in the Maples area of Shelton, below the dam, happens when waters reach 11.5 feet. At 2:31 Sunday afternoon, the stage was 11.7 feet, according to the weather service.

Flood stage is 11 feet, according to the weather service.

Meanwhile, Newtown is within a Flash Flood Warning that continues until at least 6 pm Sunday.

“At 252 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across central Fairfield to Northern New Haven Counties. In addition to widespread water rescues, several mudslides have been reported. Between 4 and 8 inches of rain have fallen. The expected rainfall rate is 2 to 3 inches in 1 hour.

“Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is already occurring,” the warning continued.

All within the warning area were encouraged to see higher ground immediately.

A growing list of roads in Newtown with partial and full washouts was being reported as the afternoon continued.

The National Weather Service on Sunday said showers are likely and a thunderstorm is possible until the evening. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch are “possible.”

On its Facebook page Sunday afternoon, Newtown Police Department issued a reminder that 911 calls should only be for life emergencies.

"Our dispatch center is overwhelmed with non life threatening calls," the department posted around 1:45, "We only have resources for true emergency calls.

"Residential pump outs will begin when the water subsides.

"If your home is flooded and you must leave, go to high ground when its safe to do so.

"Do not drive through standing or moving water.

"Multiple roads in town are flooded due to heavy rainfall. We are advising residents to stay in their homes if at all possible. Also, please be advised that emergency responders will only be dispatched for residential flooding that presents an immediate risk to safety. We understand that water in your basement is alarming and inconvenient, however emergency resources are not equipped or staffed to respond to minor basement flooding," the post concluded.

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Managing Editor Shannon Hicks can be reached at shannon@thebee.com.