Flood Waters Invade Manchester's Charter Oak Park — Again

MANCHESTER, CT — For the second time in 10 days, water from an overflowing Hop Brook spilled into Charter Oak Park in Manchester, this time sending rapids over a softball field and under swing sets.

Like Tropical Storm Henri on Aug, 23, the remnants of Hurricane Ida came through the area with more than 5 inches of rain. The brook crested Wednesday night and portions of the park were still under water Thursday morning.

The park was closed Thursday.

The center portion of the park, usually dry during the warmer months and flooded for skating during the winter, was even higher than it was post-Henri. Standing at the driveway Thursday morning, one could clearly see rapids running off a softball field to the far left and underneath a swing set and through a playscape to the right.

Sandbags were placed in key areas, but the water came into the park anyway.

Ironically, the park had recently reopened after Henri. Town officials were waiting to determine whether the lights were working properly and they were.

After Henri, the lower basketball courts were relatively dry and more water came onto them from Ida.

Charter Oak Park will be closed to the public until town crews can fully assess the impact and the water recedes, municipal officials said.

It wasn't just the park that felt the effects of Ida unwelcome visit. Due to overnight flooding, Hilliard Street was closed most of Thursday.

Water seemed to inflict the most damage from Ida. Just six customers in town were without power Thursday morning and no downed trees were reported during the night, officials said.