Residents in Leominster, Massachusetts, were still cleaning out homes Wednesday after heavy rain led to widespread flash flooding in the city Tuesday.
The National Weather Service in Boston reported that 5-8 inches of rain fell, prompting forecasters to issue a flash flood emergency.
Heavy rain led to washed-out roads and floodwaters entering homes and businesses in Leominster.
Leominster Mayor Dean Mazzarella took to social media to post several running updates and speak directly to the state of his flooded city, describing the extensive damage.
Some businesses have feet of water in their basements, he said.
A car dealership in the city reported significant damage to their business and a 6-foot sinkhole that had swallowed three cars.
Another sinkhole washed away the road and home foundations along Pleasant Street.
The National Weather Service in Boston reported that 5-8 inches of rain fell, prompting forecasters to issue a flash flood emergency. via REUTERS
Residents in Leominster, Massachusetts, are still cleaning up after heavy rain led to widespread flash flooding in the city.AP
In the city, a four-story building has partially collapsed as the swollen river undermines the foundation.
“This is just one of many situations we’re dealing with today,” Mazzarella said.
Heavy rains put pressure on some local dams.
People in low-lying areas downstream of the Barret Park Pond Dam near Leominster were asked to leave Tuesday and head to a nearby high school for shelter, according to Massachusetts state emergency officials.
The second dam is also being monitored, but so far no issues have been reported.
About 30 people had to be rescued by boat when floods flooded a mobile home park.
“It’s a little hairy at times,” Mazzarella said, adding that it all made it safe.
Along Hamilton Street, floodwaters poured over the railroad embankment, sending torrents of water and debris across the street to nearby homes, trapping cars in several feet of water and dirt and leaving railroad tracks in ruins.
Heavy rain led to washed-out roads and floodwaters entering homes and businesses in Leominster. via REUTERS
“Everybody that walks in here says the same thing: ‘What happened?!?'” Mazzarella said.
As he walked along another part of the city that had been flooded, he pointed out all the random debris that had been brought into the city from somewhere upstream, including a full trash can that now lay near a grassy area along the usually calm river bank.
“The trash can is in another place. The bin is full, it came from somewhere else, and we don’t know where it came from,” Mazzarella said. “So the water dragged him from the river… when the river reached its peak.”
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Another washed-up 40-foot storage unit of unknown origin was found stuck between trees along the river bank.
Schools were closed in the city Tuesday as crews worked to assess and repair the damage.
Route 2 was finally reopened on Tuesday morning after it was submerged by floodwaters Monday night.
“We’ve towed hundreds of cars out of flooded areas,” Mazzarella told FOX Weather Tuesday. “We had areas where people thought it was 6-8 inches of water and could drive through it. The next thing you know, they’re standing on their roofs waiting to be rescued.”
Flood waters inundated another town in Massachusetts, Rhode Island
In Hampden County, several cars were stuck in floodwaters with the Interstate 291 exit under 5 feet of water.
Heavy rain also caused flooding in Rhode Island.
Providence reported flooded streets with cars stuck, with water inundating several homes along Fairhaven Road.
A shopping plaza in Providence, Rhode Island, was flooded by heavy rain. AP
Ongoing thunderstorms continue to bring heavy rain to the area, with several more inches expected.
A Flash Flood Watch was in place for parts of Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut early Tuesday morning.
A short break will come on Tuesday, but more rain will come on Wednesday.
And residents are keeping an eye on Hurricane Lee with an expected track on the New England coast this weekend that could bring an additional round of heavy rain this weekend.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
