MONROE, CT — First Selectman Terry Rooney gave an overview of the town’s response to the flash floods of Aug. 18 and the pursuit of relief funds during his update at the Town Council meeting Monday.
Rooney said the incident is now recognized as a 1,000 year storm with 16 inches of recorded rainfall in the Lake Zoar and Stevenson Dam area.
“Warnings from the Department of Homeland Security were released through cellular devices and other technology. However, it’s been recognized that none of the agencies had the expectation that unfolded in just a few hours,” he said.
“As I was in Stevenson, the majority of the time helping police, fire, and the Department of Public Works make crucial decisions, neighboring municipalities sent additional assistance,” Rooney said.
He said the DPW participated in a mutual aid rescue on the Monroe border in Newtown with the Norwalk Fire Department, assisting with equipment that could withstand deep, rapidly moving water.
DPW also helped police set up barricades and other road closure tactics to keep drivers from flooded, washed out and dangerous roadways.
“The Waterview had a ground collapse and at first reports were grim,” Rooney said. “However, that situation was quickly under control and the 150 patrons were guided from the venue safely by law enforcement. Our fire, police and public works departments controlled this sudden and unforeseen act of nature admirably, resulting in no loss of life or injury.”
The town had a significant need for outside equipment to repair and reopen its roads and Rooney said the DPW informed him and made him feel confident that Monroe could handle the rebuilding effort itself.
“It was at that time I declared a state of emergency for Monroe and approved the rental of equipment needed,” he said.
The first selectman said it led to a commendable effort by the DPW to restore lost infrastructure and reopen town roads, and praised crew leader Shane Everetts for his expertise in the heavy equipment operation.
In only a few days, Rooney said all roads were open with the exception of Cottage Street and state-owned Route 34. “In just three days” from receiving the heavy equipment, he said Cottage Street was open and all of the repaired town roads were paved.
“Through this event, I was in contact with state legislators and State Rep. Tony Scott about concerns for Route 34,” Rooney said, adding he heard news that the Connecticut Department of Transportation hired Manafort Construction to start repair efforts.
“Myself and Town Engineer James DiMeo visited the site and they also were moving at an impressive pace,” Rooney said.
“It is difficult to comprehend the amount of skill, organization, and the mutual aid to get these projects done in the professional and rapid manner in which they were completed, as professionals can make things look easy,” he said. “However, I want this Council and the people of Monroe to understand this was anything but easy.”
“With my goal of having all roads open by the start of school, all members of the DPW and the Highway Department were under extreme pressure,” Rooney continued. “However, mutual aid from Trumbull and Fairfield’s public works providing additional trucking and stone assisted in making that goal a reality.”
The first selectman said visits to homes and businesses damaged by the flooding were “surreal”.
“The amount of water that poured through places like Galbo Industries and Brookside Trail was unimaginable and the damage left was difficult to comprehend,” Rooney said.
He encourages anyone who did not visit an online portal to report their property damage to do so.
“It is important for all of our citizens to understand that FEMA is a federal agency and only acts under the Declaration of Disaster from the President of the United States,” Rooney said.
But until or if that happens, he said Monroe and the state of Connecticut are in a holding pattern.
“I understand it’s very difficult to stay patient, however FEMA has their protocol which cannot be expedited in any way by local or state government pressure, until the damages are tallied by the Department of Homeland Security,” Rooney said.
The threshold for damage from this storm is $4.4 million.
The first selectman said he had received an email from Gov. Ned Lamont’s office saying he submitted a formal request to President Joe Biden seeking a major disaster declaration.
Sharing praise
Rooney thanked Shelton, Trumbull, Bridgeport, Fairfield and Norwalk for the mutual aid and reconstruction efforts.
He also thanked the town’s staff and directors, Police Chief Keith White, Monroe Fire Chief Kevin Catalano, Monroe Fire Capt. Chris Kris, Monroe Deputy Fire Chief Joseph McNellis, Public Works Director Chris Nowacki, Assistant Public Works Director Bill Phillips, crew leaders Shane Everett and Josh Krize, police officers, DPW staff, volunteer firefighters, dispatchers, and EMS “for handling this sudden and unforeseen act of nature professionally and without further incident.”
Town Council Chairman Jonathan Formichella read a letter from Nowacki and Phillips out loud during Monday’s Town Council meeting:
On behalf of the Public Works Department for the Town of Monroe we would like to extend our deepest gratitude to First Selectman Terrence Rooney and his unwavering leadership and support during and after the recent flood that devastated our community.
The extent of the damage, particularly to our roadways and other critical infrastructure, posed immense challenges. The First Selectman’s decisive leadership and his ongoing support made all the difference in the Highway’s ability to respond effectively and begin the rebuilding process. His commitment to the safety and well-being of our residents, as well as the constant communication with our department, has been invaluable.
Thanks to the resources that the First Selectman mobilized, our department made significant progress in restoring Town roads and ensuring that our community can restore normalcy to their daily commutes. His leadership and support during this challenging time further strengthens the mission of the Department of Public Works in enhancing the quality of life for residents through safe, responsive, efficient and effective delivery of services throughout our Town.
As we move forward, the Department of Public Works looks forward to further collaboration with the First Selectman. His optimism to further strengthen our relationship with the community and enhance the overall quality of our Town is appreciated.
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