Flooding Closes Fern Street, Braeburn Opening Delayed [Updated]
Audio By Carbonatix
Flooding at the Fern Street Bridge. Photo courtesy of John Phillips
Torrential rains ended overnight, leaving some flooding in West Hartford and delaying the opening of one elementary school and Kingswood Oxford School.
Flooding at the Fern Street Bridge. Photo courtesy of John Phillips
By Ronni Newton
After the remains of Hurricane Ida dropped about 5 more inches of rain on West Hartford, residents experienced flooded roadways and water in their basements for the third time in the past several weeks.
Fern Street was closed Thursday morning between Mountain Road and North Main Street, due to flooding at the Fern Street Bridge that swamped Fernridge Park and the roadway.
Just before 11:3o a.m., West Hartford’s Department of Public Works tweeted that Fern Street had reopened to motorists, but urged continued caution.
#TrafficAlert Fern St and Braeburn Rd are open once again. Travel smart, school is in session. There may be temporary delays for clean up crews. @TownofWestHrtfd @WestHartfordPD @WHFireDept #weha
— West Hartford DPW (@WHPublicWorks) September 2, 2021
Flooding at the Fern Street Bridge extends to a nearby home. Photo courtesy of John Phillips
Assistant Superintendent Andy Morrow advised that due to the road closure on Fern Street, Braeburn School will be opening with a two-hour delay Thursday.
“Although there are some detours due to roads in town, Braeburn is the only school delayed,” Morrow said in an email regarding West Hartford Public Schools.
Kingswood Oxford School in West Hartford tweeted that the school would open with a one-hour delay on Thursday morning.
There will be a one-hour delay today (Thursday) at KO. See you at 9:00 a.m. and be careful driving! @WyvernNation @WyvernAthletics @WestHartfordMag @WeHartford
— Kingswood Oxford (@WyvernNation) September 2, 2021
A large tree also fell across Walbridge Road at Bainbridge, Phillips said.
Treat down on Walbridge Road at Bainbridge Road. Courtesy of John Phillips
The torrential rain resulting from the remnants of Hurricane Ida passed through the area Wednesday evening and overnight, and dry weather has moved in with sunny skies and temperatures expected in the mid-70s later Thursday.
If you have any photos of significant flooding to share, please send them to Ronni Newton at [email protected].
Jason Tackus, who lives at 14 Fernbrook, said just after noon Thursday that he was trapped at his home with 13 inches of water in the driveway.
His uncle, Edward Cape, was a world-renowned landscape architect who designed the property and the location of the house, built in 1963, with water in mind.
Tackus said they have multiple sump pumps and pits, a French drain systems, and other drainage control measures in place, which kept the basement dry.
“Our neighbors say they have only seen it like this once before and they’ve been here 45 years,” he said, noting that the West Hartford Fire Department was on scene, pumping out the basement at 15 Fernbrook.
Flood waters outside 14 Fernbrook. Sept. 2, 2021. Courtesy of Jason Tackus
Flood waters outside 14 Fernbrook. Sept. 2, 2021. Courtesy of Jason Tackus
Flood waters outside 14 Fernbrook. Sept. 2, 2021. Courtesy of Jason Tackus
Flood waters outside 14 Fernbrook. Sept. 2, 2021. Courtesy of Jason Tackus
Flood waters outside 14 Fernbrook. Sept. 2, 2021. Courtesy of Jason Tackus
Flooding at Fernridge Park, Sept. 2, 2021. Courtesy of Maggie Roberts
Flooding at Fernridge Park, Sept. 2, 2021. Courtesy of Maggie Roberts
Flooding at Fernridge Park, Sept. 2, 2021. Courtesy of Maggie Roberts
Flooding at Fernridge Park, Sept. 2, 2021. Courtesy of Maggie Roberts
Flooding at Fernridge Park, Sept. 2, 2021. Courtesy of Maggie Roberts
Flooding at Fernridge Park, Sept. 2, 2021. Courtesy of Maggie Roberts
Flooding at Fernridge Park, Sept. 2, 2021. Courtesy of Maggie Roberts
Like what you see here? Click here to subscribe to We-Ha’s newsletter so you’ll always be in the know about what’s happening in West Hartford! Click the blue button below to become a supporter of We-Ha.com and our efforts to continue producing quality journalism.
