Date: Fri 24-Sep-1999
Date: Fri 24-Sep-1999
Publication: Bee
Author: STEVEB
Quick Words:
flood-weather-Rosenthal
Full Text:
Local Crews Commended For Flood Response
(with photos)
BY STEVE BIGHAM
First Selectman Herb Rosenthal this week commended both the town's emergency
services and highway crews for their swift and efficient work during last
week's storm.
Between Thursday and Friday, Newtown's five volunteer fire companies responded
to a total of 45 calls. Ironically, many of those calls came on Friday when
numerous power lines came down all over town. There were also nearly two dozen
calls for flooded basements, and a handful of calls to rescue motorists
trapped inside flooded cars.
Hurricane Floyd caused considerable damage, but experts had expected it to be
even more severe. With that in mind, Newtown's emergency management team,
headed by Bill Halstead, was prepared for the worst. Newtown Middle School and
all the local fire departments were prepared with cots and blankets in case
residents were forced to leave their homes.
Also busy last week were members of the highway crew, who worked through the
night to ensure motorists' safety. Mr Rosenthal, who might have had to order
workers in, was appreciative of the handful of men who volunteered to work
overtime. Headed by director Fred Hurley and crew leader Milt Adams, they
rushed around putting up "road closed" signs, cut down trees, attempted to fix
drainage problems and ensured that all dirt roads were passable. That group
included George Birch, Anthony Cappozziello, Ray Disbrow, John Ferris, Michael
Heneghan, Buddy Ingraham, Glenn Miller, William Moseley, Dave Peck, Joe Pratt
and Rob Toth.
"Those guys feel like they just did their job, but they really did an
exceptional job," said Mr Hurley, who was drenched when an oblivious driver
sped through more than a foot of water as he was standing alongside Currituck
Road.
The Hawleyville area seemed to suffer the worst flooding as Obtuse Road,
Butterfield Road, Pond Brook Road and parts of Route 25 were immersed in
water.
Newtown was fortunate not to suffer major power outages, although some areas
were left in the dark. Mr Hurley said CL&P's tree-cutting program this summer
paid dividends. Litchfield, a town not known for tree cutting, suffered power
outages all over town. Friday's strong wind gusts caused only minor problems
here, however.