Flooding Begins In Darien As Sandy Arrives

DARIEN, Conn. – Darien began to experience flooding as Hurricane Sandy rolled in early Monday afternoon. Firefighters were going door-to-door in high-risk areas asking people to evacuate.

Flooding on Five Mile River Road in Darien Monday morning.
Photo Credit: *Casey Donahue*

Rings End Road in Darien was closed due to flooding Monday morning.
Photo Credit: *Casey Donahue*

The water reached the snack shack at Weed Beach in Darien.
Photo Credit: *Casey Donahue*

The parking lot of Pear Tree Point Beach in Darien flooded Monday morning.
Photo Credit: *David Smith*

The Noroton Yacht Club in Darien at high tide Monday.
Photo Credit: *Charles Barthold*

Pear Tree Point Beach in Darien at high tide.
Photo Credit: *Charles Barthold*

Several Darien boat owners parked their boats at Hindley Elementary School.
Photo Credit: *Casey Donahue*

The emergency shelter at Darien High School is equipped with plenty of cots.
Photo Credit: *Casey Donahue*

The shelter at Darien High School has several crates for people to house their pets.
Photo Credit: *Casey Donahue*

Casey Donahue

10/29/2012 1:30 p.m.

Rings End Road, Tokeneke Road and Five Mile River Road were closed due to flooding. There was also flooding on Seagate Road, Contentment Island Road, Beach Drive, Noroton Bay, Tokeneke Trail and in the area of Holly Pond.

“The time to evacuate is now,” First Selectman Jayme Stevenson said in a phone message to residents late Monday morning. “When wind speeds reach sustained levels of 50 mph or more, all emergency, public works and utility response vehicles will be suspended and our personnel will not be able to get to you.”

Stevenson encouraged residents to go to the emergency shelter at Darien High School. Volunteers Amy Bell and Patti Bumgardner were manning the shelter Monday and said only seven people had registered, but they expected more to come as the storm picked up.

The shelter is equipped with cots, blankets and pillows, and the cafeteria is open to serve three hot meals a day. Showers are available, and Bell said they may set up a television with a DVD player. Volunteers from Post 53 EMS were on hand last night, and more are expected to be present later Monday in case anybody needs medical attention.

If you are planning to seek shelter at Darien High School, you should bring any medication and personal items you need, as well as copies of important documents and insurance papers, towels, toiletries and clothing. Pets are welcome, and crates have been set up for them in one of the gymnasiums. If you have your own crates, you are encouraged to bring them. You should also bring your own entertainment, such as books and portable DVD players.

Stevenson said the town’s Emergency Operations Center is in full operation. The town’s dispatch lines must stay open, so call 911 only in case of emergencies.

As of 1 p.m., there were 15 houses in Darien without power, according to Connecticut Light & Power. Stay tuned to The Daily Voice for more news on Hurricane Sandy, and send your storm photos to cdonahue@dailyvoice.com.

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