Two people dead after severe flooding in Connecticut and New York

OXFORD, CT. (WLNE) — Torrential rain caused historic flooding in parts of Connecticut and New York’s Long Island over the weekend.

One storm dropped incredible amounts of rain over western Connecticut and then another down on Long Island as a stationary front parked right over the areas, separate from Hurricane Ernesto.

“It’s really historic, unprecedented flooding,” Deputy Commissioner at the Department of Emergency Services Brenda Bergeron said.

The rain caused washed-out roads, where people were trapped in cars and restaurants, and two women died. Their bodies were recovered in Oxford on Monday.

“Our K-9 search and rescue teams and a drone team are in the town of Oxford, and we are ready to help with the search and recovery efforts,” Connecticut State Police Colonel Daniel Loughman said.

The two women were Oxford residents stranded in separate cars. Firefighters tried to get the first woman out of her car and take her to safety when water swept her away. The second woman got out of her car and made it to a roadside sign that she tried to cling to, but the water was too strong.

“Route 67 where many of you came up was about four to six feet deep and a very, very tumultuous current,” Oxford First Selectman George Temple said.

The tropical-like rainfall poured as much as 10 inches in certain parts of Western Connecticut and New York.

“We will seek federal help. Be absolutely sure,” Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont said. “We will seek federal aid. They are entitled to it. These communities have suffered.”