Fairfield family with special needs child devastated by flash flooding; community effort underway
Vanessa and Pablo Romero and their two kids don't know when they'll be able to return home after last week's storms caused major flooding of their Fairfield home from the nearby Rooster River.
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A community effort is underway to help a Fairfield family devastated by last week’s flash flooding.
Vanessa Romero was forced from her home on Lynnbrook Road last Tuesday afternoon as rain came down hard, and her home began to fill with water from the nearby Rooster River.
“Everything happened so fast. Maybe like 30, 40 minutes, my basement was gone. The water was so high that it made it to the first floor. The backyard was a pool,” Romero recalled.
A week later, it's unclear when she, husband Pablo and kids Haddie and Micah can return.
“We can't live in our house right now,” Romero said Tuesday as crews continued to rip out the floors of their ranch-style home.
Their furniture, appliances and personal belongings all had to be tossed.
Ten-year-old Haddie, who has spina bifida and uses a wheelchair, lost her medical supplies. Her dad’s tools for his job were also ruined.
“There's just so much that we have to do,” Romero said, as she got emotional, “and we're taking it one day at a time.”
Flood insurance is only expected to cover a fraction of the cost, according to the family. Right now, they're in a hotel until Friday, then planning to stay with a friend temporarily. But a long-term solution, since repairs are expected to take months, isn't known yet.
“It's hard, but thank God, we have family, and we have friends who are coming out of their way to help us, and we're just like so thankful,” Romero told News 12 choking up.
One friend organized a fundraising effort that's collected over $9000. Others have helped clean the backyard, donated meals or sent messages of support.
It's the first flood for the Romeros, who bought their home a few years ago, but neighbors have been through this at least three other times since 2018.
“August, September comes, and I know everyone is worried. Now we know why they were worried,” Romero explained. “There are so many people here being affected. I just pray that someone can do something for all of us.”
Lawmakers previously approved funding for flood prevention efforts along the Rooster River, but the plan has been in a holding pattern. Fairfield First Selectperson Christine Vitale said work should begin in the fall.
“Fairfield and Bridgeport are moving forward with plans to mitigate flooding of the Rooster River. The project was initially delayed because Fairfield was awaiting permitting approval by the Army Corps of Engineers and CT DEEP. The project has since been approved by the appropriate federal, state and town bodies. Funding is in place and construction should begin this Fall,” Vitale said in a statement to News 12. “The Town is also working with RACE and Weston and Sampson to develop a master flood plan to address both coastal and riverine flooding. As sea level continues to rise and severe rain events become more frequent, we need to be proactive in putting flood mitigation strategies in place for the health and safety of our community.”
