Stonington - As Gov. M. Jodi Rell peered over the edge of the Pawcatuck River bridge Wednesday afternoon to see the raging water just a few feet below, just down the street Joyce McElhaney kept a close eye on the three pumps that were slowly removing the 39 inches of water that had inundated the basement of the Connecticut Community Credit Union.

Despite the problem, the credit union's president and CEO kept smiling.

"I would call this an inconvenience," she said.

Across the street at C.C. O'Brien's, the popular Pawcatuck watering hole, owner Carolyn O'Brien was taking a phone call behind the bar while wearing knee-high rubber boots. The bar had been full of patrons early Tuesday night, but they were sent home when police, concerned about the structure's safety, closed the bar. On Wednesday afternoon, the bar was open, serving cold sandwiches and beer because the gas had been shut off. A hose pumped water from the basement.

"The water came to the top of the sidewalk but never came inside (the bar). We fared a lot better than a lot of people," O'Brien said.

The two businesses were among a group on the West Broad Street block leading to the bridge that had been closed by police because of fears about the safety of the span.

Several closed businesses, such as Prime Time Cafe, Bogue's Alley deli and Get Fired Up Pottery, are in a building along the river that police closed and evacuated because they worried its foundation and pilings may have been weakened by the rushing water and debris.

On Tuesday, police had evacuated 20 people who live in apartments in the building but were allowing them to briefly return to collect personal belongings on Wednesday.

While floodwaters receded on Wednesday in Old Mystic, where many home and businesses were damaged, the focus remained on the Pawcatuck River bridge, which will remain closed until divers can safely get into the water to determine if the structure has been damaged. That may take a few days.

The Stillman Avenue bridge remained closed Wednesday as floodwaters continued to batter its underside. It cannot reopen until inspectors can ascertain its safety.

Despite police barricades, people still walked across the Stillman Avenue bridge Wednesday to take photos. And just downstream from the Pawcatuck River bridge in Westerly Wednesday afternoon, a woman held her small child over the side to see the water.

"I understand this is a once in a lifetime event. But stay away right now," said a frustrated Police Chief J. Darren Stewart. "We don't need anyone in the water."

On Tuesday night police had to rescue a man who moved a barricade in Old Mystic, drove around it, and became stranded in the water.

"If you see a barricade, don't go down that road," Stewart said.

The town did get some good news Wednesday when the White Rock Bridge reopened after engineers deemed it safe. Until then, all three bridges between Westerly and Pawcatuck had been closed, requiring drivers to use a long detour on Route 78.

More good news came on Greenhaven Road, where raging waters on Tuesday tore up a section of a small bridge just before Route 1. Initially, town officials feared it would need to be replaced, which would have closed the road for a long period of time.

But the large culvert underneath the road remained intact, so crews on Wednesday were able to rebuild the edge of the road and reopen it. The closure had meant a long detour along River Road and Mechanic Street to reach Route 1.

Schools here will be closed for the third day in a row today, but Superintendent of Schools Leanne Masterjoseph said in a phone message to parents that she expects school to resume on Monday. Friday was already a scheduled day off.

Some roads in town are still closed, making bus travel difficult. At the intersection of Mistuxet Avenue and Jerry Browne Road near Mystic Middle School, buses would have faced long detours. That intersection, where a culvert has been damaged, will need extensive repairs before it can reopen.

The Mystic River drawbridge remained closed to traffic Wednesday as did a section of Route 184 in Old Mystic, where floodwaters washed away a large section of the road.

Back in downtown Pawcatuck, McElhaney said she and a handful of employees answered phones and made transactions for customers Wednesday while two large hoses blasted water out of the basement. She said plans are to reopen today.

McElhaney stressed that while some documents were damaged in the basement, all records are backed up on computer files and remain intact.

First Selectman Ed Haberek said homeowners and businesses such as the credit union that have sustained damage should begin documenting their losses, which should then be listed on forms the town will distribute.

The town will use the information to seek federal disaster aid and then distribute it to the affected people. Haberek said many of those who suffered damage did not have flood insurance. Many properties in town flooded for the first time that anyone could remember.

Haberek said U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District, has pledged to help obtain aid for the town.

Gov. Rell got an update on the situation from Haberek, Stewart and other town and state officials and pledged to help the town obtain disaster aid.

"Thank you guys. Thanks for all you're doing," she told them. "I know you've had some long days."

j.wojtas@theday.com

FLOOD SAFETY TIPS

While one of the most damaging rainstorms in eastern Connecticut's history is over, health concerns remain.

Nurse Epidemiologist Laurie Mastrangelo-Simmons of The William W. Backus Hospital is urging the public to take precautions with drinking water and to avoid contact with standing water.

Floodwaters can contain overflowing sewage and chemicals from runoff. Wading in standing water can cause illness or injury. According to Mastrangelo-Simmons:

• There is a risk of spreading disease by drinking contaminated water, so make sure to wash your hands after contact with floodwaters.

• Do not allow children to play in floodwaters or play with toys that were contaminated with floodwaters until they are disinfected.

• If you have open wounds, avoid floodwaters because of the chance of infection. If your wound does come in contact with floodwater, wash it well with soap and clean water. Seek medical attention if redness or swelling develops.

• Floodwaters are cold and there is a chance for hypothermia.

• Don't enter fast-moving water on foot or by car. Drowning or injury from fast-moving sharp objects can occur.

• Do not handle any electrical lines or outlets that are wet.

• If you believe your drinking water is contaminated, use bottled water. If you don't have bottled water, boil it to make it safe.

• If you have a well that has been flooded, have it tested and/or disinfected after water recedes.

• Be aware of the dangers of mold. Proper treatment of wet areas of your home is essential or long-term health risks from mold can result.

• Run a dehumidifier or fan to speed up the drying process. Doing this can prevent or decrease mold.

Access the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/ for more information on the prevention of injury, illness and cleaning suggestions.