Heavy rainfall has caused widespread flooding in parts of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, with the city of Leominster declaring a state of emergency. The storm dumped 11 inches of rain in just five hours, flooding homes and stranding drivers. Mayor Dean Mazzarella urged residents to stay inside and avoid traveling, but some were forced to evacuate as water poured into their basements. The city set up two shelters and closed all schools for the day.
Firefighters used boats and a military truck to evacuate stranded residents, with at least several homes suffering structural damage. The city is also concerned about the Barrett Park Pond Dam, which is in a weakened state and could potentially fail, putting nearby homes at risk. Governor Maura Healey pledged support for the affected communities, deploying emergency boat rescue and response teams to the area.
Mayor Dean Mazzarella (Via Mayor Dean Mazzarella/Twitter)
Other communities in the region, including North Attleborough, Massachusetts, also experienced flooding, with at least 12 homes affected. The National Weather Service is forecasting another round of storms for the area on Wednesday, which could bring heavy rain and further exacerbate the flooding situation.
The events in Leominster are the latest in a series of devastating floods to hit New England this summer. A storm in July dumped up to two months’ worth of rain in just two days in Vermont, resulting in two deaths. As the region prepares for more severe weather, residents are left to pick up the pieces and begin the long process of recovery.
