Irene made landfall locally as a tropical storm around 900 am August 28, 2011 over New York City.  Irene then moved across Southeast New York and Western Connecticut before dissipating over Northern New England near the Canadian Border the evening of August 28. The large envelope of winds associated with Tropical Storm Irene pushed a 3 to 5 foot surge of water into Long Island Sound resulting in moderate to major coastal flooding, wave damage and erosion.  This resulted in damage or destruction of over 100 homes in East Haven, Milford, Westport, Fairfield and Stratford.  Heavy damage to public beaches and other public and private facilities also occurred.

Storm Surge/Tide in SOUTHERN NEW LONDON, CONNECTICUT
From 28-AUG-11 08:30:00 to 28-AUG-11 11:30:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

The NOS tidal gauge at New London, CT recorded a maximum water level of 6.55 ft. MLLW at 924 am EST, above the unofficial NWS moderate coastal flooding benchmark.
These water levels cause moderate coastal flooding along the shore.  In Stonington, inundation of 1 to 3 feet over the seawall and inland about 100 feet into adjacent properties was experienced.  In Groton, Long Island Sound inundated portions of Beach Pond Rd., Tyler Avenue, Pine Island Rd., Jupiter Pt. Rd., Shore Ave and adjacent properties with 1 to 3 feet of water. Thames Street was inundated by 1 to 3 ft. of water, with the Thames Inn Boat House inundated by several feet of water. In addition, the Bayview Avenue Boat launch was inundated about 50 ft. inland.

Storm Surge/Tide in SOUTHERN MIDDLESEX, CONNECTICUT
From 28-AUG-11 09:00:00 to 28-AUG-11 12:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

In Old Saybrook, inundation of around 1 -2 feet over the seawall into the adjacent streets and properties in Saybrook Point was experienced. The Saybrook Point Marina was inundated by a few feet of water as well.

Storm Surge/Tide in SOUTHERN FAIRFIELD, CONNECTICUT
From 28-AUG-11 09:24:00 to 28-AUG-11 12:30:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

The NOS tidal gauge at Bridgeport, CT recorded a maximum water level of 12.07 ft. MLLW at 1106 am EST, well above the NWS moderate coastal flooding benchmark of 10.4 feet. The Army Corps of Engineers tidal gauge at Stamford, CT recorded a maximum water level of 12.7 ft. MLLW at 1030 am EST, well above the NWS moderate coastal flooding benchmark of 11.1 feet.
These water levels caused widespread moderate to major inundation along the coast between 930 am and 1230 pm.  In Bridgeport, water from Long Island Sound came up through Bridgeport Harbor and flooded Bridgeport train station tracks. In Fairfield, the  combination of fresh water and surge inundated multiple sections of White Street with a few feet of water causing its closure. In addition, water inundation was experienced 1/2 mile inland on Fairfield Beach Rd past 1 Rod Highway. In Westport, the  combination of fresh water and surge inundated US1 with one feet of water as the Saugatuck River was forced out of its banks. Additionally closures were experienced along the Saugutuck River near Riverside and Imperial Ave. In Stamford, water covered about half of Cummings Park due to inundation from Long Island Sound.

Storm Surge/Tide in SOUTHERN NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT
From 28-AUG-11 09:30:00 to 28-AUG-11 12:30:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

The NOS tidal gauge at New Haven, recorded a maximum water level of 11.57 ft. MLLW at 1036 am on August 28 2011, which is well above the unofficial NWS moderate coastal flooding threshold for the area.
These tidal levels caused widespread moderate to major surge inundation along the coast.  In East Haven, several beach front homes suffered extensive damage from storm surge on Cosey Beach Ave. where 4 to 8 ft. of surge with battering wave action was estimated, causing structural damage to at least 2 dozen houses and swept at least 4 houses to sea.  Additionally, significant inundation was reported in the Short Beach section with a lot of damage on Little Bay Lane and Beckett Avenue and surrounding streets.  In West Haven, heavy damage was sustained to several coastal properties in Savin Rock.  In New Haven, inundation of several feet of water onto Longshore Drive from LI Sound make it impassable.  Additionally, 1 to 2 ft. of inundation occcurred across Long Wharf Drive and surrounding properties, including IKEA shopping center.  In Guilford, a combination of heavy rain and coastal flooding caused 2 to 3 feet of water to cover the roadway and properties surrounding the intersection of Water and River Streets along the West River.  In Branford, several feet of water inundated Linden Avenue and neighboring properties. This combined with wave action caused severe erosion and undermining of roadways in the area with about a dozen homes and businesses significantly damaged.  Along Seaview Avenue several houses were flooded and damaged with up to 6 feet of surge.  In Milford, businesses along Broadway near Naugatuck Avenue were inundated with 1 to 2 feet of water.  While along the immediate shoreline, the police reported sections of East Broadway inundated with up to 8 feet of water.