Storm surge reaches Stamford's shoreline on east winds and storm tides, and it has put water on Shippan Point and in the South End in past storms. The Stamford Hurricane Protection Barrier stops surge, but not rain or a failed pipe. Surge is floodwater and is cleaned up as floodwater, which is different from a leak.
Key takeaways
- The Stamford Hurricane Protection Barrier stops surge from the Sound, not rain, river flooding or a broken pipe.
- The 1992 nor'easter left waterfront houses on Shippan Point in three feet of water, according to the National Weather Service.
- Surge is floodwater, cleaned up with more of the structure opened than a leak needs.
- Nor'easters are most frequent from September to April, and tropical systems from June to November.
How does storm surge reach Stamford?
The National Weather Service's Sandy assessment describes east winds driving surge along Long Island Sound into the western Sound. Shippan Point and the South End sit on the water and take that surge first.
The Sandy event put water on Shippan Point's roads, and the 1992 nor'easter left waterfront houses in three feet of water. Nor'easters bring heavy rain, gale-force winds and coastal flooding, most often from September to April.
What does the hurricane barrier protect?
About 600 acres of downtown sit behind the two-mile Stamford Hurricane Protection Barrier, built in 1969 by the Army Corps of Engineers. It holds back surge, and it does not stop rain or a broken pipe.
A downtown basement can still fill from heavy rain on a day when no surge arrives. The barrier is a reason to know which kind of water is coming, not a reason to skip the check.
The Rippowam River rose more than four feet above normal in the 2007 nor'easter, and the Army Corps reconfigured Mill River Park for flood mitigation from 2009.
How is surge flooding cleaned up?
Surge is cleaned up as floodwater. The walls and floors are opened where the water reached, and anything porous that stood in it comes out, because the water may carry contamination.
The first walkthrough separates surge from any pipe that failed in the same building. A pipe failure is a leak from the first call, even during a storm.
Photograph the water line on each wall before cleanup, and keep a record of the time the water first appeared. Homeowners policies generally do not cover flood damage, so the record is useful for the insurance question.
Frequently asked questions
Does the barrier mean my Stamford basement is safe from surge?
The barrier is built to stop surge from the Sound in the area it protects. Water from rain or a river can still reach a basement, and the barrier does not cover every street.
Who runs the sewers and hurricane barriers in Stamford?
The Stamford Water Pollution Control Authority runs the plant, sewers, pump stations and hurricane barriers, according to its audited report.
Is surge covered by my policy?
Surge is flood, and homeowners policies generally do not cover flood. Flood cover comes through the National Flood Insurance Program or a private flood policy.
Sources
- National Hurricane Center and National Weather Service, Hurricane Sandy assessment
- Stamford official historian pages
- U.S. Census Bureau, QuickFacts for Stamford
This guide is general information for Fairfield County homeowners, not a substitute for an on-site inspection. Prices are estimates. See our disclaimer.