Flash Flooding and Severe Thunderstorm Update from DEMHS at 1:30 PM

The National Weather Service has issued Flash Flood Watches for Litchfield, Hartford and Tolland Counties until 10:00 PM.  These watches have been issued because thunderstorms are developing in northern Hartford county that contain extremely heavy rainfall of 2” – 4” per hour.  In addition, these thunderstorms are back building.  This means that the storms are moving slowly to the northeast at 5 – 15 MPH but they may build back to the southwest at almost the same speed which is keeping the extremely heavy rainfall over the same towns for up to an hour.  

Additional thunderstorms, which in some cases are severe, are forming over Southeastern New York State.  These thunderstorms are also moving very slowly to the northeast.

Rainfall exceeding 1” per hour can cause moderate urban flooding.  Rainfall of 2” – 4” per hour can cause severe urban and small stream flooding.

Also, the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has just placed Western and Central Connecticut into the Marginal Risk category for severe thunderstorms this afternoon.  The primary threats from any thunderstorms that develop are strong winds (5% chance), large hail (<5% chance) and torrential downpours.  No widespread severe outbreak is expected, however, a few storms could reach severe levels this afternoon.  

The Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security will continue to closely monitor these thunderstorms during the afternoon.  Additional updates may be sent out significant severe thunderstorms or flash flooding develops over Connecticut. 

Sincerely,

Doug Glowacki