By Thane Grauel

WESTPORT — A long day of steady rains caused flooding on several roadways by Saturday afternoon.

The water covered two lanes Post Road East near West Parish Road around 6 p.m.

Water also was over Greens Farms Road near New Creak Road, and at the bridge that carries the road over Muddy Brook near Center Street.

Myrtle Avenue was flooded by Deadman Brook, but the flooding wasn’t bad enough to spill over Post Road East at Bay Street, as has happened at times in the past.

There was puddling on many other roads as well.

While some motorists avoided flooded lanes or turned around to avoid entirely flooded roads, many plowed through the water. Just 12 inches of water can float many cars, according to the National Weather Service, and 6 inches of flowing water can knock a person down. It also can be very bad for your car.

By the time the rain tapered off around 6:30 p.m., the rain gauge atop the Norwalk Health Department on East Avenue had measured 3.08 inches of rain over 24 hours.

Several downtown businesses had demountable flood barriers erected on the Parker Harding Plaza side before Saturday’s storm arrived. They were not needed.

Thane Grauel grew up in Westport and has been a journalist in Fairfield County and beyond for 36 years. Reach him at editor@westportjournal.com. Learn more about us here.