Flooding destroys dozens of cars

EAST HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) -- Dozens of cars were destroyed after heavy rain passed through East Haven.

McDermott Auto Group's property was under water after a storm Friday.

"We've been here 15 years and have never seen flooding like this, not even close," said Dave McDermott, Owner of McDermott Auto Group.

The heavy rain led to severe flooding, which destroyed more than 50 cars on the lot.

"It came like a tidal wave," said McDermott, "it didn't come over several hours where we had time to move cars, it just hit."

"The water was cascading off the building," said Armad Hinton, McDermott Auto Group's business manager. "It was absolutely amazing. The water that was coming off, it was so high that it came up two to three feet and actually started to flood the offices."

All of the cars that were damaged have been marked with an X. They'll all be taken off the lot Tuesday, where they'll be crushed and recycled. And then brand new dry cars will be brought in."

"We had total losses on approximately 10 Lexus and another 22 Chevrolets and 13 pre-owned," said McDermott.

He says the company has not had an insurance claim this big in the 40 years it's been in business.