Boston Braces for Affects of Spring Storms
A third major spring rainstorm in less than one month is drenching the Boston area. Weather experts are predicting the possibility of potentially dangerous flooding today throughout the area as the National Weather Service is posting flood advisories and warnings all the way from Maine to the Carolinas with as much as 7 inches of rain expected to fall.
There is standing water on major roadways in the Boston area, making driving perilous. Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick has declared a state of emergency and has asked the National Guard to stand by in case its assistance becomes necessary. Many rivers and streams area already at or above flood stage. Flood watches and warnings extend into much of northern New England with melting snow only adding to the problem. The rain is expected to increase in intensity today and continue to fall for the next couple of days.
Business owners in the Boston area are scrambling to move computers, important documents and other items to higher levels. Many of these same people have already lost thousands of dollars worth of valuables earlier this month when their premises were flooded with up to 7 feet of dirty, muddy water.
In 1983, eleven inches of rain fell on Boston during March which broke a rainfall record. Nearly 10 inches has already fallen on the city before the start of this newest storm, so that record may very well be shattered. The ground in Boston and the surrounding area is so saturated that the new rainfall simply cannot soak in.
Residents are advised to take every precaution to ensure the safety of themselves and of their homes. For those living in flood-threatened areas, it is advised to keep one eye on the weather and to listen to what local emergency authorities are reporting as evacuations may very well be necessary. Families should discuss where to meet in the case of an evacuation and they should also be reminded to consider the family pets as well. It is a good idea to move valuables, electronics, food and clothing from low levels in home and/or business up to a higher ground.
Homeowners should see to it that their gutters and downspouts are clear and in good working order. Loose roofing materials should be repaired as well to avoid the possibility of wet attics or crawl spaces. Houses in low lying and flood-prone areas should have window wells blocked with tight fitting, domed window well covers. The ground around the home should be graded on a slope running away from the home to force standing rainwater away from the structure.
