Rhode Island Braces for ‘Historic’ Flooding
March 30, 2010 - 10:16 AM | by: Molly Line
Rhode Island has called in the National Guard to help with the worst flooding the state has seen in a century.
300 soldiers will be filling sand bags and working to help authorities manage flooding that has swamped neighborhoods. The swift waters are threatening bridges and dams across the state.
“This is an extraordinary time that we’re facing,” said Gov. Don Carcieri. He urged residents to take the rising waters seriously and evacuate if authorities believe it’s necessary.
“The flooding impact, as bad as it is right now, is going to get worse,” warned Carcieri who called on residents to get home early and expect further road closings.
The rain is expected to lighten up periodically throughout the evening hours but several addition inches are still expected to fall.
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Relentless rain continues to pound the Northeast. Communities from New Jersey to Maine are getting hit hard with another round of flooding as the second major storm in March dumps water on the region.
In Rhode Island the Pawtuxet River is over it’s banks, flooding homes and cars left in low lying areas.
The Lumpkin family has lived on East Ave. in Warwick, Rhode Island for nearly 20 years.
“I’ve never seen it this bad,” said Diana Lumpkin, who watched a sand box float across her flooded back yard. Sand bags are piled high around their cellar door to little avail. The river is flooding inside.
Emergency Management officials say major flooding is affecting Cranston, Providence, Warwick and surrounding towns. They’re warning residents that water levels could reach historic highs and flooding will be seen in areas that have never flooded before.
The Blackstone River is 9 feet over flood stage, estimated to be at 18 feet, and the Pawtuxet River could hit 21 feet by Thursday.
“We have no idea with that kind of water where it’s going to go,” said Steve Kass, Communications Coordinator for the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency.
Five to seven inches of rain is predicted across eastern Connecticut and Rhode Island. In some spots eight inches is possible.
In Massachusetts, Governor Deval Patrick has declared a state of emergency. The Massachusetts National Guard has mobilized to fill sand bags and aid residents.
Homeowners are weary. Many residents are pumping out basements yet again, rushing to move furniture and belongings to higher ground.
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