Cars stand in flooded parking lot at Mystic Aquarium, July 1, 2009.

A dam also broke near Sylvia Pond on Briar Patch Road where one family was forced to evacuate.

The parking lot of the Mystic Aquarium, July 1, 2009. (Courtesy: News Channel 8's Kevin Frederick)

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After floods, more rain comes to Conn.

Warning issued over dam failure

Updated: Thursday, 02 Jul 2009, 11:02 AM EDT
Published : Thursday, 02 Jul 2009, 11:01 AM EDT

STONINGTON, Conn. (WTNH) - Heavy rains pounded the Stonington area Wednesday night into Thursday morning, drenching the area with more than 6 inches of rain in some places.

The National Weather Service issued Flash Flood Warning for a failure at Silvia's Pond Dam in Stonington on Thursday.

"The severity of the dam failure at Silvia's Dam in Stonington is still being assessed," an alert from the National Weather Service said. "Until the integrity of the dam is known A Flash Flood Warning will remain in effect for locations downstream of the dam."

Storm Team 8 Meteorologist Gil Simmons expected it to be an active weather day, with a potential for severe thunderstorms between Noon and 5 p.m.

In Mystic Wednesday, the weather equipment at Cutler Middle School measured more than 6 1/2 inches of rain on Wednesday. Wheeler Middle/High Schools in North Stonington picked up 5 3/4 inches.

"That is almost double of what we typically expect for an entire month," Storm Team 8 Meteorologist Gil Simmons said Thursday.

"There was an unprecedented amount of rain that came down in a short period of time," Stonington First Selectman Ed Haberek Jr. said.

A dam broke near Sylvia's Pond on Briar Patch Road in Stonington. One family was forced to evacuate.

The crest gates of the Palmer Dam at Mistuxet Avenue had to be opened to relieve the intense pressure. The rushing water peeled back asphalt like a banana as it flowed through the streets.

"I think it's pretty impressive," Stafford McClean of Stonington said. "It's going to be really awesome when it rips the road right out."

Heavy flooding also took place in Mystic. Route 1 east of Mason Island Road was closed due to flooding. Spellman Drive near the police department was also closed, and water was knee-deep at the Mystic Aquarium parking lot, trapping cars in place.

Employees at the aquarium said the parking lot has not flooded like that in decades.

In Groton, lightning hit a doctor's office on Sandy Hollow Road.

No injuries have been reported.

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