Vernon's New Norm: Treat Heavy Rainstorms Like Snowstorms

VERNON, CT — A new norm has emerged in Vernon this year in terms of dealing with summer storms.

Treat them like winter storms.

In essence, amid record rainfall and flooding throughout north central Connecticut, officials in Vernon are tired of being caught off guard.

"It was time to not be reactive, but proactive," Vernon Public Works Director Dwight Ryniewicz said. "It's something new but its something we know we can do — take care of our known trouble areas before the storm hits."

In other words ...

"Treat a significant summer storm like we treat a snowstorm," Vernon Town Administrator and Emergency Management Director Michael Purcaro said.

Purcaro said that, typically, a heavy snow, crews are now out in force, prepping the roads, checking trees and seconding advisories out to the public. In a new strategy, the same went for the days prior to both Tropical Storm Henri 11 days ago and the remnants of Hurricane Ida on Wednesday into Thursday of this week. Ryniewicz admitted that overflowing streams are one thing, but, the ability to put up barricades, lay down sandbags should not be overlooked where applicable.

"It was pretty good before Ida," Ryniewicz said. "We've established a team concept with public works, fire, police and emergency management."

If the initial team runs into a trouble spot, crews are on standby to be dispatched, he said.

"It's more transparent for the residents and easier for us to be proactive," he added.

Purcaro said the procedure "will be the norm" at least throughout the hurricane 2021 season but maybe it will become the permanent solution.

"It works for snowstorms," he said. "It's the new norm. It the best practice right now because we have a storm water infrastructure that is overwhelmed. Just like we do in. the winter, when we go out early, treat the roads and then plow when we need to, we can go out before storms like Henri and Ida and prepare. This way, we are not waiting for an emergency to happen. We might prevent one."

The record rainfall in July and August, coupled with the two latest tropical type storms have prompted many rivers and streams to crest and overflow into yards and into streets in epic ways. For example, twice in 10 days. the Hockanum River overflowed and left guests at the local Motel 6 stranded. Purcaro said in his 16 years in emergency management, he has seen the Hockanum that high once.

"Does all the preparedness stop the flooding? No," he said. "But things were remarkably better this past storm."