United States: In a tragic turn of events, two individuals were discovered lifeless, and over 100 people were compelled to evacuate as relentless rainfall inundated the Northeast, causing treacherous floods across Connecticut on Sunday, with further deluges anticipated.
The two deceased were found in the town of Oxford, as confirmed by Fire Chief Scott Pelletier to CNN on Monday. This town lies approximately 15 miles northwest of New Haven, according to CNN.
Earlier, officials reported that a person was missing in Oxford, though it remains uncertain whether this individual is among the two fatalities now confirmed.
“Widespread flooding and water rescues” were reported Sunday, with the National Weather Service issuing a dire warning. A flash flood emergency, declared on Sunday, was later downgraded to a flood warning that remained effective until 10:30 am Monday, covering the cities of Waterbury, Danbury, and the town of Fairfield, as reported by CNN.
Emergency responders sprang into action, rescuing 19 individuals and a dog from an Oxford eatery and an adjacent apartment, according to Jeremy Rodorigo, Beacon Falls emergency management director, who spoke with CNN.
Rodorigo reported that the Brookside Inn, engulfed by surging waters, trapped about 18 people inside.
“We feared the restaurant might succumb to the floodwaters and be swept away,” he recounted. “We had a very narrow window to reach the site, deploy a ladder truck, and extend the ladder 100 feet to carry out the rescue.”
Responders also extracted an elderly woman and her dog from an adjoining apartment, Rodorigo added, noting that no injuries were reported.
“We will continue to assist towns with the necessary resources to respond promptly and ensure public safety,” Governor Ned Lamont stated on Sunday, as per CNN.
Southwestern Connecticut experienced a deluge of 6 to 10 inches of rain within a mere six to nine hours on Sunday, as David Stark of the National Weather Service in New York informed CNN. Monroe, Connecticut, bore the brunt, receiving 9.98 inches of rainfall—an event so rare it occurs only once in 200 years.
Reportedly, additional rain is forecasted for the Northeast on Monday afternoon, with a level 2 out of 4 risk of excessive rainfall anticipated for areas within Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and New York state. The region is expected to receive 1-2 inches of rain, with some areas potentially seeing up to 3 inches.
“Emergency management continues to report ongoing water rescues, multiple mudslides, numerous washed-out roads and bridges, as well as swollen rivers from Central Fairfield County to Northern New Haven County. Furthermore, officials are evaluating the structural integrity of several dams in the region,” the weather service cautioned late Sunday.

In New York, nearly 1 million residents in the Suffolk County area were under a flash flood emergency early Monday, as announced by the New York City Weather Service, as per CNN.
Approximately 2 to 4 inches of rain had already fallen, with an additional 1 to 2 inches possible, the service warned, citing “flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets, underpasses, and other poorly drained or low-lying locations.”
The torrential rain also rendered roads hazardous across Connecticut, prompting several cities and towns—including Stamford, Danbury, Southbury, and Naugatuck—to close roads.
“Many roads in town are submerged due to the heavy rainfall. We advise residents to remain indoors if possible,” Southbury Police stated. “Crews are actively responding to emergencies and road closures throughout the town.”
“A significant number of roads in the western part of the state are closed and are likely to remain closed for an extended period,” Governor Lamont added.
Train services were also disrupted in some areas. A mudslide near Seymore, Connecticut, led to the suspension of train services in both directions on the Metro-North Railroad’s Waterbury Branch.
On Sunday afternoon, a mudslide triggered by heavy rainfall caused a gas leak near an apartment complex in Danbury, necessitating an evacuation, according to Danbury Public Information Officer Erin Henry, according to CNN.
Another apartment complex on Main Street in Danbury was also evacuated due to flooding, Henry noted.
Connecticut’s emergency operations center is closely monitoring the situation and has deployed an urban search and rescue team to Southbury, as reported by the state’s Emergency Management and Homeland Security Department in a post on X.
At least two state parks were closed due to flooding, as indicated by updates on the Connecticut State Parks X account.
Meanwhile, over 700 flights were canceled at the three major airports near New York City on Sunday as severe thunderstorms swept through the region on Sunday evening.