New England Prepares for Additional Rainfall Following Severe Flooding and Dam Vulnerability

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Anticipating more rain this Wednesday, New England communities are in recovery mode after enduring a torrential downpour that left Massachusetts and Rhode Island severely flooded. Nearly 10 inches (about 25 centimeters) of rain fell within a six-hour period, causing authorities to raise alarms over dams in poor conditions.

The recent deluge was characterized as a “200-year event” by Matthew Belk, a meteorologist affiliated with the National Weather Service in Boston. Two towns issued states of emergency, with officials mandating evacuations over concerns regarding the structural integrity of a deteriorating dam.

While rain from Hurricane Lee was not a factor in Monday’s inundation, forecasters caution that it could lead to more flooding in coastal regions of the Northeast over the weekend.

In Leominster, located approximately 40 miles (64 kilometers) to the northwest of Boston, Mayor Dean Mazzarella reported the evacuation of up to 300 people by Tuesday morning. This number included residents from a high-rise apartment complex and a care facility for the elderly. Schools were closed, and emergency shelters were established.

Mazzarella revealed that the city had not witnessed such extensive destruction since the hurricane of 1936. Downtown buildings were largely submerged, some even collapsing. Rail connections to Boston were also disrupted. In an online statement on Monday night, the mayor advised residents to seek higher ground, stating that if any injuries occurred, they were minimal.

Arthur Elbthal, Leominster’s director of emergency management, reported that of the city’s 24 dams, two sustained damage but remained intact. These structures are now being reinforced.

A certified observer located near Leominster recorded 9.5 inches (24 centimeters) of rainfall. The historical record for a single-day downpour in Massachusetts remains unbroken, set by Tropical Storm Diane on August 18, 1955, when 18 inches (approximately 46 centimeters) of rain fell in Westfield, according to Belk.

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey conveyed her concern over the forthcoming weather patterns and the potential impact of Hurricane Lee, as she toured the flood-stricken areas in North Attleborough, situated about 55 miles (89 kilometers) south of Leominster. Healey has initiated communication with the Biden administration, the state’s congressional representatives, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency for assistance.

In North Attleborough, Dawn Packer, who operates a home-based preschool, described her harrowing experience of watching a UPS truck float away in her flood-engulfed neighborhood. Her initial relief of finding her basement dry quickly turned into a nightmare as forcefully gushing water shattered her door, causing immense damage and disrupting her livelihood.

Nathan Bonneau, another resident of North Attleborough, stated that his home was condemned after being assessed for flood damage. Water levels rose close to his height of 5 feet 10 inches (178 centimeters) in a span of merely 35 minutes.

Paula Deacon, Leominster Schools Superintendent, described the ordeal as a severe emotional upheaval for residents. A large number of them were forced to abandon their homes, leaving them in a state of uncertainty.

Residents in areas near Leominster’s Barrett Park Pond Dam were advised to evacuate on an immediate basis. The dam, measuring 15 feet (4.5 meters) in height, is listed as a significant hazard in poor condition in the National Inventory of Dams by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Records indicate that it was last inspected in November 2017.

In 2021, Leominster was the recipient of a $163,500 state grant intended for engineering and permitting costs for the dam’s repair.

Flooding was also reported in specific roadways in Rhode Island and Nashua, New Hampshire. In Providence, Rhode Island, a parking lot and portions of a shopping mall were submerged, requiring firefighters to rescue stranded individuals using inflatable boats.

Both Leominster and North Attleborough have declared states of emergency. The summer has been marked by several flooding events in New England, including a storm in Vermont in July that resulted in two fatalities.

Atmospheric scientists are attributing such flooding events worldwide to climate change. Mathew Barlow, a climate scientist at the University of Massachusetts-Lowell, emphasized that the warmer air due to climate change can hold increased amounts of water, warning that unless fossil fuel emissions are significantly reduced, the frequency and severity of such disasters will continue to escalate.

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Contributors to this report include journalists based in Concord, New Hampshire; New Hampshire; Massachusetts; Maine; Vermont; and Missouri.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about New England Flooding

More about New England Flooding

• National Weather Service Forecast for New England
• Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency Updates
• Rhode Island Department of Emergency Management
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ National Inventory of Dams
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Assistance
• Atmospheric and Climate Science Studies
• History of Flooding in New England
• Hurricane Lee Forecast and Updates
• Economic Impact of Natural Disasters
• North Attleborough Community Updates