Significant rainfall totaling nearly a foot (30 centimeters) in southwestern Connecticut prompted the National Weather Service to declare a flash flood emergency on Sunday, while police conducted several water rescues throughout the region.

Thunderstorms and heavy rain continued to move through Fairfield and New Haven counties on Sunday afternoon, bringing amounts of between 5 and 9 inches of rain, with at least another inch expected. The National Weather Service in New York declared a flash flood emergency for those communities, warning that the situation was particularly dangerous and “extensive water rescue operations are underway.”

Severe flash flooding washed out roads and left vehicles stranded in cities such as Stamford, Danbury and Southbury.

In Danbury, rescue and utility crews responded to the Woodland Hills Complex on Shelter Rock Road, where a landslide caused a gas leak and evacuations, according to the NWS and Danbury Emergency Management.

Video showed drivers attempting to drive through headlight-deep water near the Southbury Plaza shopping center in Southbury.

Another video from Southbury showed water from a creek flowing across Flat Hill Road. According to the photographer, motorists had managed to cross the road less than half an hour earlier.

Local authorities are asking drivers to avoid the roads.

“Due to the persistent rain, flooding is occurring on all city streets. We are in the process of cordoning off these areas and are asking everyone to stay home,” said Samford Police officials. “Please do not drive through the floodwaters as the water depth is difficult to determine, manhole covers are being moved, and cars are becoming stuck in the water.”

The heavy rains are expected to end by late Sunday evening.