Conn. Rivers Crest,

Minor Flooding Reported

By Dave Collins

Associated Press

HARTFORD — Rivers across Connecticut are falling after hitting their highest levels in decades, but local officials are reporting only minor flooding in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Irene.

Power outages continued to be the biggest problem in the state Wednesday. Connecticut Light & Power Co. reports nearly 308,000 outages, down from a peak of 672,000. The United Illuminating Co., which serves the New Haven and Bridgeport areas, reports about 61,000 outages, down from 158,000.

Both utilities say most remaining outages will be fixed by this weekend.

Minor flooding is reported in Middletown and Portland along the Connecticut River and in Simsbury along the Farmington River. The Connecticut River in Hartford crested at 24.8 feet Tuesday evening, the highest level since 1987.