Road Closures and Flooding

It may be a sunny and pleasant Monday, but the river is still rising and causing problems.

By 9:30 a.m. on Monday the river had reached 16.4 feet — well over flood level — and is expected to crest at approximately 17 feet later today. 

Flooding has forced the closure of Routes 185 and 315 in Simsbury, Terry’s Plain Road, Nod Road and Riverside Road. Residents have also been evacuated from Nod Road and Riverside Road. No estimate for how long the roads will be closed is yet available.

Emergency vehicles have been placed on both sides of the Farmington River to ensure that emergency personnel will be able to respond to calls from any part of Simsbury.

While waters continue to rise, other conditions in town have improved with debris removed from most roads and power restored.

“We continue to take this storm seriously — it has caused and will continue to cause extensive damage,” said First Selectman Mary Glassman, who continued to urge residents to use caution while traveling. “We’re doing everything we can to minimize the damage and to ensure the safety of Simsbury residents.”

The fire department continues to help residents with flooded basements. By Sunday night they had pumped out more than 60 and were still going.

"I want to remind people that we can only pump it down to two inches or so. Also the water has to stop or the owner has to have a way to pump it once we leave," said Simsbury Volunteer Fire Department Deputy Chief and Fire Marshal Kevin Kowalski.

The crew will get no rest, as Kowalski stated the department has been asked to give assistance to other towns.