Wilton First Selectman Toni Boucher: 'Storm Response & Update'

**News Release Submitted by Wilton First Selectman Toni Boucher**

August 19, 2024

The Town of Wilton received over 8 inches of rain in a 7-hour period yesterday, causing the Norwalk River to overflow, which shut down Route 7 in three locations. The Saugatuck River in the Newtown Turnpike area of Wilton also overflowed to a similar degree. Wilton’s Emergency Operation Center (EOC) has been open since Sunday afternoon and will remain open until all safety concerns related to this event have been cleared. During the storm, the Town updated the public with real time information through the Wilton website e-alert system, as well as through the Everbridge platform. Information will continue to be sent to the public through these emergency alert systems.

The numerous messages sent throughout Sunday’s serious rain event are primarily generated by our dispatchers, who are simultaneously manning the 911 and non-emergency phones, dispatching police and fire response teams, and keeping the community informed with updates. They did excellent work throughout the many hours the storm rained extreme levels of precipitation, fielding emergency calls from residents who were impacted by weather related emergencies.

During the storm, this is how Wilton emergency services personnel responded:
• Police, Fire and the DPW all brought in extra crews during the storm.
• CERT crews operated multiple road closures throughout the storm.
• Some families were advised to evacuate their homes until the water receded, and fire department crews are currently determining if residents who did evacuate are able to safely re-enter their homes.

Thankfully, there were no injuries, but there is plenty of property damage.

The state’s Emergency Management Center has asked municipalities to capture and track all the damage to local government infrastructure and transportation infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and railways, as well as the costs associated with this damage. Wilton is already at work documenting the impact the storm had on our town. The Wilton Police Department, the Department of Public Works, Parks and Rec personnel, as well as the State Department of Transportation, are out surveying affected areas.

Many of Wilton’s athletic fields were seriously damaged.

The Town is currently assessing the extent of the damage and has already filed insurance claims where appropriate. But, given the storm damage across the state, there will likely be a backlog of claims for the insurance companies to process.

The State EOC will maintain their Enhanced Monitoring Mode until further notice. Our office is aware that town services were stretched, as Fire and Police responded to significant flooding dangers. We are grateful to our local first responders for their quick action and many hours of hard work. We also send our thanks to residents who provided aid to their neighbors.

Governor Lamont called early this morning to check on the state of our town, its residents and our commercial business. He offered whatever resources we may need to restore Wilton. I am thankful for his outreach and that of our state elected officials for their support and concern. As far as current conditions are concerned, Wilton has no street closures and no injuries or missing people to report. Many of you have reached out asking how you can volunteer. As soon as all of the assessments are completed, we will have information on how to sign up for any town-wide effort, depending on what is needed. Thank you in advance for your offers of help. Please note that flooding can lift manhole covers up to 3-4 feet and are dangerous, so please, for your own safety, do not attempt to drive through flooded roadways.

If anyone needs emergency assistance, please call 9-1-1. For any other non-emergency questions, please contact the Wilton Police Department at 203-834-6260.

Thank you and stay safe.

Toni Boucher
First Selectman
Town of Wilton