A partial dam break along the Yantic River after heavy wind-swept rain caused the river to overflow and led to evacuations in Bozrah and of homes and businesses along the Yantic River in Norwich Wednesday.
A leak was discovered in the Fitchville Pond Dam in Bozrah Wednesday morning.
Officials said they learned at 5:30 a.m. that the left abutment was leaking. A contractor was brought in and temporary engineering measures were taken before more rain moves in.
Norwich's city manager determined that the Yantic River Flood Zone needed be evacuated to "protect the life and safety of residents" in the area along the Yantic River from the Bozrah line to the Uncas Falls in Downtown Norwich.
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Kelly Middle School was made available as an Emergency Shelter for people for most of the day.
By Wednesday evening, the evacuation order was lifted after the state determined the dam was not in imminent danger of failing.
People were allowed to return to their homes Wednesday evening.
The Norwich Fire Department and officials from Bozrah will monitor the dam overnight. They urged residents to remain vigilant and said the evacuation order could be reinstated if the condition of the dam deteriorates.
Gov. Ned Lamont said the Fitchville Pond Dam, which is privately owned, was built in the 1840s, and it was rebuilt in the 1980s.
WEA for City of Norwich: Norwich is issuing a MANDATORY EVACUATION order of all areas along the Yantic River from the Bozrah town line to the area of Backus Hospital due to dam conditions. There is NO evacuation of Backus Hospital. Kelly Middle School will be open as a shelter.
— CT Emergency Management & Homeland Security (@CTDEMHS) January 10, 2024
Norwich Public Utilities also took a substation offline because of the threat, disrupting power to thousands.
Norwich Public Utilities said it took its Bean Hill Substation offline “to avoid potentially catastrophic damage” to the infrastructure after learning of the partial dam break north of the substation.
That caused around 5,000 power outages.
As of 5 p.m., power had been restored to all customers, according to Norwich Public Utilities.
Flood Warning for the Yantic in Norwich. Incredible amounts of water and very dangerous situation. Major flooding occurring, stay away from the area if possible. #NBCCT pic.twitter.com/akJ30Vgv1D
— Bob Maxon (@bobmaxon) January 10, 2024
Norwich residents said this is the worst flooding that they have seen in more than 30 years.
