Recovery in Rhode Island Flood Likely to Take Months
The flood weary people of the state of Rhode Island are surveying the damage as the latest heavy rainstorm has finally moved out of the area. Local officials are warning the state that recovery is going to be long and slow due to the widespread damage. Residents are rather shell shocked, gathering in makeshift shelters and unaffected coffee shops and eateries to share their rather sad stories of what they have been through and what they have lost.
The Northeast has been battling flooded roadways in areas such as Warwick and Cranston have been hit especially hard from the storm damages. Rhode Island was particularly hard-hit as the mighty Pawtuxet River overflowed its banks, sending fast flowing water into neighborhoods and business areas in numerous cities and towns. Front lawns were turned into lakes and many residents had to flee their homes by boat. A good number of school districts in the region are closed and not expected to open until the middle of next week, at the earliest. The water levels are too high now to determine exactly what type of damage has been done as bridges, overpasses, railroad tracks and roadways must be inspected to assess the damage and see if they are safe for use once again.
The heavy rainstorm dumped 8.75 inches of water in East Providence, 7.6 inches in the downtown area and 5 inches in Cranston – exacerbating the effects of a previous major storm that rolled through the region two weeks ago. Rhode Island was the most affected state in the Northeast and the 1 million inhabitants are hoping that this is the end of the rash of heavy rainfall.
The utilities in the state were heavily impacted as countless homes and businesses have basements full of water, gas and electrical shutoffs and destroyed furnaces and appliances. The residents of the Rhode Island who are fortunate to have power are being asked to conserve and are also being told not to flush their toilets or use the water because sewage backups have contaminated the fresh water supply.
The governor of Rhode Island has been quoted as saying that this is the worst flooding to hit the state in 200 years as the swollen Pawtuxet River crested at 20.79 inches which is 12 feet above its normal level. Janet Napolitano, Homeland Security Secretary, is planning a trip to the soaked state this week to see the damage for herself. President Obama issued an emergency declaration for Rhode Island and ordered federal relief which may make some feel better knowing that perhaps they can get financial assistance for repairing the extensive damage done to their homes, businesses and possessions.
