More than two inches (2.12") of rain fell at Sikorsky Airport on this date in 2005, capping a week of heavy rain. The remnants of Tropical Storm Tammy and Subtropical Depression Twenty-Two merged with incoming continental cold fronts in October of 2005 to produce torrential rains over interior New England as well as over parts of New Jersey and New York. Particularly hard hit was the state of New Hampshire, which saw roads and bridges wiped out, several reported deaths, and whole buildings destroyed. Rainfall from both rain events totaled well over 20 inches in some areas.
Locally, thousands of homes and businesses lost power, primarily in Bridgeport. Localized flooding was reported in certain areas of Connecticut. One death occurred when a woman was swept away at Diana's Pool on the Natchaug River, and another woman fell into the churning Connecticut River. In addition, the rains softened the soil, creating mudslides that damaged a lengthy stretch of railroad tracks near Naugatuck, interrupting service. Here is a map illustrating the rainfall totals from October 14 through 16, 2005.
Residents in low-lying areas of Shelton, Seymour, Stratford, and Oxford were evacuated as heavy rains forced the Housatonic River out of its banks, inundating homes and businesses. The damage totaled to $6 million. Coastal flooding was a problem on Long Island, and severe beach erosion was reported in many areas. It was the wettest October on record for Hartford and Central Park.
The heavy rain was brought to the region by a slow-moving frontal system. Stretching from the Florida panhandle to Maine, the front drew tropical moisture -- including the remnants of Tropical Storm Tammy -- up the East Coast. The front parked itself off the coast, allowing an area of low pressure to form just off of the Delmarva Peninsula. The low brought a second round of heavy rain to the Northeast eight years ago today. It was an October not soon to be forgotten.
Paul
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