Flooding closes roads, some people evacuated

New Milford, Conn. (WTNH) - More than three inches of rain fell in parts of Connecticut overnight, causing streets to flood and rivers and streams to rise Monday. Evacuations are reported in some areas.

Gov. Dannel Malloy activated the state Emergency Operations Center to help towns deal with flooding related issues.

Metro-North service on the Danbury line was suspended because of a track washout just south of the Bethel Station. Commuters should drive to the Harlem Line or New Haven main line stations to get into New York City. Both are operating normally.

More than two dozen schools delayed opening due to the weather, and there were a handful of cancellations.

In New Milford, a mudslide on Grove Street has forced residents out of their homes there. And Route 7 was closed between Route 202 and Sunny Valley Road because of Water over road. New Milford Schools closed for the day.

In Farmington, several roads including sections of Town Farm, Johnson and Meadow were closed, police said via Twitter. "We anticipate Rt. 4 in the area of Town Farm Rd will be flooded within the next couple hours," police said.

In Shelton, emergency crews are dealing with severe flooding in the Maples Section of the town because of rising water around the Stevenson Dam.

In Woodbury, state police had to evacuate some homes in the Judson Road area because of rising water.

How much rain? More than three and a-half inches of rain fell in Danbury, More than three inches in Meriden, and more than two inches was measured in Bridgeport.

"If you see water over the roadways... please do not try to drive through it," Connecticut state police spokesman Lt. J. Paul Vance advised motorists.

Local authorities and the Connecticut Department of Transportation posted detours and alerts for several towns because of the high waters.

• Parts of Route 53 were closed in Bethel, Redding and Weston because of water over the road.
• In Oxford, Route 67 was closed at Echo Valley Road.
• In Middletown, Route 147 was closed between Route 157 and Cherry Hill.
• In Torrington, Route 202 was closed at Litchfield Town Line.

Metro-North temporarily suspended service on the Danbury Branch Dut to washed out tracks just to the south of the Bethel station. Repair crews are not expected to have the tracks fixed until later in the morning.

On his Twitter account Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton had good advice for everyone. "Some pretty serious street flooding going on out there. Be careful."