Campers at Rocky Neck State Park got a wet wakeup call from Mother Nature when the storms rolled through Thursday.
The weather forced some to cut their trips short. Power outages impacted business too.
There was no power at MacFerguson Concessions at Rocky Neck State Park for several hours on Thursday, keeping about a dozen employees home from work.
“We’re not open because it’s raining out, serious lightning storms and due to that, all the power was out all over town,” said Jim Ferguson, who runs the business.
Hours later, when the lights returned it was time to get moving for Ferguson. Luckily, his inventory wasn’t impacted and now he’s getting ready for the big crowds and high heat over the Fourth of July weekend. And he’s not worried.
“I’m not I’ve got huge ice machines and tons of ice cream for adults and kids! Four ice cream carts on sight. 28:25 lots of sunscreen for the campers and whatever they need,” Ferguson said.
Some campers decided to pack up early after a rough night in the rain.
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Nicolas Williams was heading home to Ludlow, Mass.
“Horrible truth be told, wake up and first thing wake up to my tent being full of water. My pillows were drenched and I had nothing to change into. Everything was soaking wet.”
Williams told NBC Connecticut he had a great time on vacation until his tent broke.
“I’m going to unfortunately have to replace this. I hate to do so only had it six months. At the end of the day everybody is safe and nobody hurt,” Williams added.
And with all the rain, beachgoers are concerned bacteria levels will come back safe.
“That freaks me out want to make sure that it’s safe, especially with it going to be so hot out,” said Amanda Meli from Palmer, Mass.
State officials at the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection said they tested the water quality like they always do between Memorial Day and Labor Day at the beach here and at other state parks. There is concern of bacteria in the water with the rain and the runoff, but it’s being tested and results should be available Friday.
