New England District’s proactive storm response safeguards communities from powerful nNor’easter
Midweek before the storm's arrival, the New England District’s Emergency Management Office had already begun coordination efforts with the Operations Division and the Engineering Division's Reservoir Control Center. Working together, the goal was to staff the District’s three hurricane barriers—Stamford in Connecticut, New Bedford in Massachusetts, and Fox Point in Rhode Island—and to monitor water levels at regional dams and reservoirs. The team held daily coordination meetings to track the storm's progression and fine-tune strategies to ensure public safety.
The nor'easter arrived the evening of Sept. 25, triggering the first hurricane barrier closure at Stamford, which remained closed for 3.5 hours.
“Stamford Hurricane Barrier operated for five tide cycles without issue,” said Leanna Martin, Reservoir Control Center.
The Stamford barrier operated twice on Sept. 26, closing for 4.5 hours in the morning and four hours in the evening. The barrier closed again on Sept. 27 for 3.5 hours and one final time on Sept. 28.
At New Bedford, the hurricane barrier operated twice without incident, closing for 1.5 hours on Sept. 26 and 2.5 hours on Sept. 27.
The Fox Point Hurricane Barrier did not need to operate during the storm.
Personnel at the active hurricane barriers coordinated with the U.S. Coast Guard, which issued public alerts regarding gate closures. The New England District’s Stamford Hurricane Barrier Facebook page also provided up to date information on closures.
New England District team members remained on duty throughout the duration of the storm.
“Emergency Management was monitoring and coordinating over the weekend,” said Amy Hamilton, Chief, Emergency Operations. “We received no requests for assistance.”
“The Reservoir Control Center team also worked the weekend to stay up to date on pool levels, anticipated releases and upcoming rain,” said Martin. “All of us were monitoring our individual basins and coordinating with one another when necessary.”
According to Martin, the storm caused no significant reservoir impacts over the weekend.
Ultimately, the combination of expert planning, extensive regional coordination, and constant communication ensured the New England District successfully mitigated the storm's impact, keeping coastal communities safe and demonstrating the critical value of the region's flood risk management infrastructure.
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