(Photos) Irene Flooding On The Rise Throughout Windsor

With Connecticut Light & Power cutting the number of Windsor customers without power in half over the past 24 hours, many Windsor residents and businesses resumed life as usual, including along the Farmington River.

Having resumed business, Bart's may see a boost in business over the next day or so as residents trickle down to the riverfront location to catch a view of the flood waters that have breached the banks of the Farmington, completely covered half of Pleasant Street, and are making their way toward Palisado Avenue.

While flooding on Pleasant Street is a common site during the spring in Windsor, the flooding Tropical Storm Irene has caused is rare.

"I didn't expect this [much flooding]," said Bill Crosson who has lived in Windsor since 1941. "It's the worst I've ever seen it," he added, standing behind Bart's looking at what was Pleasant Street 48 hours earlier.

Windsor Resident and former State Representative Ruth Fahrbach made her way down to Bart's as well, hoping to take a look at the flooding. "I've never seen it this bad," she said.

As bad as it the flooding is in town, Fahrbach expressed how fortunate Windsor was with regard to the damage caused by Irene, noting significant power outages to the east of town, and the extensive water damage in Vermont where the Connecticut River Valley's recent water woes have originated.

The flooding is "slightly higher" than what Windsor usually experiences, according to Town Manager Peter Souza, who said that town officials have encouraged residents in vulnerable areas to monitor rising waters.

"There are a number of residential properties along River Street as well as on a number of side streets on the east side of Poquonock Ave (i.e. Sawka Circle, Apple Tree, Milo Peck Lane) that were notified... At this point it does not appear any homes will be impacted – just yard flooding," Souza said Tuesday morning.

Town officials are encouraging residents to be aware of the flooding, but have not, and "do not anticipate any suggested or mandated evacuations," he added.

On the north end of town, the Riverside Reservoir is high, as expected, and is making its way into the backyards of some residents on Merriam Road.

Residents and businesses below the Rainbow Dam will be glad to hear that "we are in regular communication with operators of the Rainbow Dam and it is my understanding the dam is operating as designed," said Souza.