- The sun is back!
- Area rivers will be cresting today.
- Many will remain above flood stage through tomorrow.
- Scroll down for more details on the flooding.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Storm Total Rainfall Amounts
Rainfall amounts from the storm were impressive. A general 5-10" of rain fell throughout the area! We were initially predicting in between 4-6", but eventually bumped that forecast up a bit on Sunday. All along, flooding was expected. Flood Watches were issued, and I tried my best to emphasize that the flood threat was there.
10.13" Topsfield
7.82" Atkinson
7.80" Methuen
6.98" Boston
5.25" Shrewsbury
4.50" Nashua
3.92" Manchester
How does this compare to other major flooding events? The Mother's Day Flood back in May 2006 brought a few more inches of rain to the region. See a summary of that storm here.
Also, many have been wondering how much snow would have fallen if it had been snow. Generally, 1" of rain = 10" of snow. However, it's hard to relate a rain storm to a snow storm - because when the temperatures are colder, there is less moisture to work with.
10.13" Topsfield
7.82" Atkinson
7.80" Methuen
6.98" Boston
5.25" Shrewsbury
4.50" Nashua
3.92" Manchester
How does this compare to other major flooding events? The Mother's Day Flood back in May 2006 brought a few more inches of rain to the region. See a summary of that storm here.
Also, many have been wondering how much snow would have fallen if it had been snow. Generally, 1" of rain = 10" of snow. However, it's hard to relate a rain storm to a snow storm - because when the temperatures are colder, there is less moisture to work with.
Today's Forecast
Tuesday
FLOOD WARNINGS will remain in effect for area rivers. Watch out for flooded areas, particularly along the Spicket, Merrimack, and Shawsheen. Weather-wise, it'll be a good day! Mostly sunny, mild, and still a bit breezy (but definitely less windy than recent days).
Highs: 51-56.
Tuesday Night
Mostly clear and cool.
Lows: 31-35.
Nice weather continues as rivers recede » Extended Forecast
FLOOD WARNINGS will remain in effect for area rivers. Watch out for flooded areas, particularly along the Spicket, Merrimack, and Shawsheen. Weather-wise, it'll be a good day! Mostly sunny, mild, and still a bit breezy (but definitely less windy than recent days).
Highs: 51-56.
Tuesday Night
Mostly clear and cool.
Lows: 31-35.
Nice weather continues as rivers recede » Extended Forecast
Monday, March 15, 2010
River Flood Warnings
The Spicket River:
- Flood Warning for the Spicket at Salem, Methuen, Lawrence
- Flood Stage: 8 feet
- Stage at 9pm Monday: 9.5 feet
Minor flooding currently occurring - numerous buildings and roadways near the Spicket are flooded; some streets in Lawrence adjacent to the Spicket have been evacuated - Crest near 10.0 feet at some point Tuesday
Moderate flooding expected in Salem, Methuen, and Lawrence
- Flood Warning for the Shawsheen from Wilmington to Lawrence
- Flood Stage: 7 feet
- Stage at 8:45pm Monday: 10.6 feet
RECORD flooding occurring - Cresting overnight
- Areas along the river from Wilmington to Lawrence will be affected. Some roads will become impassible on Rt. 114, near 495, and the Market Basket/Friendly's in North Andover.
- Flood Warning for the Merrimack at Haverhill, Lawrence, Lowell
- Minor flooding is forecast along the Merrimack at both Haverhill and Lawrence. Flooding of low lying areas can be anticipated.
7PM Flood Update
Flood Warnings remain in effect for many local area rivers. The focus has largely shifted from the streams and tributaries (which were flooded last night and this morning), to the larger rivers they feed into, such as the Spicket, Shawsheen, and the Merrimack. I've compiled a list of the flood warnings and the details on each river; click here to see it. Most of the flooding in Atkinson has come to an end, as most of it was caused by flooding of streams and such.
The bad news is that an additional 1-1.5" of rain fell throughout the area today. This will only add insult to injury as flooding continues tonight. Atkinson's storm total is now well over 7.5". Most spots in the Merrimack Valley have received in between 6" and 10" of rain. The good news is that the rain is finally coming to an end. The steady rain is pinwheeling southward around the storm. The rain will be lightening up throughout the area over the next hour or two; tapering for the most part by midnight.
That being said, it takes time for rivers to crest. Water is still being transported into these rivers via their streams and tributaries. Even though the rain will shut off tonight, expect flooding of these rivers to continue into tomorrow. They probably will not drop below flood stage until late tomorrow or Wednesday.
The flooding has been destructive in many areas, rivaling the all-time flooding that occurred in May of 2006. Many areas along the Spicket River in Salem, Methuen, and Lawrence have been flooded.
In Lawrence, roadways running along the Spicket have been flooded. The area around Erving Ave seems to have been hit the hardest. Evacuations have been ordered on Myrtle Street and Willow Street. As of this evening, Central Catholic had not been flooded. They were flooded out during the May 2006 event, and closed for many days. It appears the worst of the flooding has occurred on the other side of the Spicket, again, near Erving Ave and Myrtle Street. The Spicket is expected to crest tonight or early tomorrow at the second highest it ever has, behind the Mother's Day Flood of 2006. Flooding is also occurring on Route 114, near 495, as a result of the Shawsheen River.
In Salem, many roadways have been cosed due to flooding. In fact, a large stretch of Route 128 from the Rite Aid at 53 S. Broadway to Ford Flowers at 83 S. Broadway, has been closed, according to the Eagle-Tribune. Parts of Main Street has also been closed due to flooding.
In Methuen, some neighborhoods along the Spicket have been asked to evacuate. The parking lot at CVS on Route 28 has flooded, along with many nearby areas.
The bad news is that an additional 1-1.5" of rain fell throughout the area today. This will only add insult to injury as flooding continues tonight. Atkinson's storm total is now well over 7.5". Most spots in the Merrimack Valley have received in between 6" and 10" of rain. The good news is that the rain is finally coming to an end. The steady rain is pinwheeling southward around the storm. The rain will be lightening up throughout the area over the next hour or two; tapering for the most part by midnight.
That being said, it takes time for rivers to crest. Water is still being transported into these rivers via their streams and tributaries. Even though the rain will shut off tonight, expect flooding of these rivers to continue into tomorrow. They probably will not drop below flood stage until late tomorrow or Wednesday.
The flooding has been destructive in many areas, rivaling the all-time flooding that occurred in May of 2006. Many areas along the Spicket River in Salem, Methuen, and Lawrence have been flooded.
In Lawrence, roadways running along the Spicket have been flooded. The area around Erving Ave seems to have been hit the hardest. Evacuations have been ordered on Myrtle Street and Willow Street. As of this evening, Central Catholic had not been flooded. They were flooded out during the May 2006 event, and closed for many days. It appears the worst of the flooding has occurred on the other side of the Spicket, again, near Erving Ave and Myrtle Street. The Spicket is expected to crest tonight or early tomorrow at the second highest it ever has, behind the Mother's Day Flood of 2006. Flooding is also occurring on Route 114, near 495, as a result of the Shawsheen River.
In Salem, many roadways have been cosed due to flooding. In fact, a large stretch of Route 128 from the Rite Aid at 53 S. Broadway to Ford Flowers at 83 S. Broadway, has been closed, according to the Eagle-Tribune. Parts of Main Street has also been closed due to flooding.
In Methuen, some neighborhoods along the Spicket have been asked to evacuate. The parking lot at CVS on Route 28 has flooded, along with many nearby areas.
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