Seymour First Selectwoman Annmarie Drugonis issues Friday update on flood impact

               

"Good morning, Seymour. I provided an update on the impact of the flood on roads, businesses, and residents.

This update is about the Kinneytown Dam and the surrounding area. I hope this answers some questions and concerns.

Kinneytown Dam and Powerhouse:

At least two sections of flashboards failed.

Safety boom broke and most buoys are lost. Looks like it broke in the middle – both ends are still attached to the trees that it was anchored it to.

Floors wet in powerhouse, but likely due to leaky roof.

Rail:

The Waterbury Branch Rail Line was undermined just south of the dam. MNRR and DOT were on site and already bringing material in this afternoon. DOT Staff on site said there were other washouts on the line, although they did not see any others from the air in the vicinity of the Kinneytown facility.

The rail bed holds up the canal in this section, and about half of the bed had been washed away. Additional washout here could cause a breach in the canal.

Gatehouse:

There was moderate flow through the gates in the gatehouse into the canal, meaning that the sediment/debris plug likely shifted or was flushed out.

No signs that the river bypassed the gatehouse.

Coe Pond Dam:

No sign of overtopping, but continued erosion on the downstream slope near the rail evident, along with sediment flows.

Luckily no downed trees on forested section of the dam.

DOT and MNRR were on site and were waiting on FERC staff to do an inspection today. Will keep an eye on the docket for a report.

Unit 2:

North side of powerhouse flooded – unclear where the water came from.

The flood gates adjacent to the Unit 2 Powerhouse were closed during the storm. The flood gates were opened , and it did not look like floodwaters reached the bottom of the gates. Ansonia FD cut chains on the access gate to Unit 2 from N. 4th Street, and access gate near the flood gate in their efforts to close the flood gates.

Derby Avenue, Seymour

It looked like the River may have left its banks near the sewer pump station. There is a lot of silt surrounding the pump station and on Derby Ave. Also, there were some some high water marks on house foundations and steps just north of the pump station.

Further north near the cemetery, debris and bent vegetation indicated that the river did not leave its banks there but came close."

Shared from the Office of the First Selectwoman of Seymour Facebook page.