Floodwaters in Connecticut killed two women Sunday — including one who futilely tried clinging to a street sign but ended up swept to her death by the raging tide, authorities say.
The victims were carried away into the Little River in Oxford about 35 miles southwest of Hartford, a police rep told The Post on Monday.
One of the women was in her vehicle, while the second was on foot when she lost her grip on the street sign, cops said.
The body of the first victim was found Monday morning, Oxford Fire Chief Scott Pellitier told the New Haven Register. Crews discovered the second woman early Monday afternoon.
Police declined to identify the victims until their families could be notified.
According to the National Weather Service, approximately 10 inches of rain fell on parts of western Connecticut on Sunday.
The sudden torrential downpour flooded roads and rivers, causing the deaths along with massive damage and stranding thousands of people.
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont said in a statement that more than 100 people have been evacuated by search-and-rescue teams since Sunday evening.
“This was an historic storm in some areas of Connecticut,” Lamont said. “If you live in the western portion of Connecticut, we are urging you to stay home if you can until the flooding has receded, and definitely do not ever attempt to drive through any flooded roads.”
The National Weather Service predicts more inclement weather Monday afternoon.
The agency said in a release that “numerous showers and scattered thunderstorms” will continue, bringing damaging wind gusts and even more surges to the waterlogged area.
“The most vulnerable areas for flood impacts will be across southwestern CT, northeastern NJ, and much of Long Island due to saturated soils and high streamflows,” the weather service warned in a statement.
After ravishing Connecticut, the storm system moved on to Long Island. The National Weather Service clarified that the weather is separate from Hurricane Ernesto, which is passing over the north Atlantic.
Dozens of flights have been canceled at Newark, LaGuardia and JFK airports.
