Flooding Hits Plymouth County in Massachusetts

For more than two weeks, massive rainstorms have been relentlessly pounding the northeast United States. Just last week, citizens and public workers had a brief reprieve and began repairing the damage subsequent flooding had done to their homes, streets and property only to be hit with more rain again in the last few days. This latest barrage of rainstorms has renewed the flooding in many areas, and people who have just started to see an end to the water they have been pumping out are watching helplessly as the water pours right back in. Plymouth County in Massachusetts is no exception. This area, known for its cranberry bogs, ponds and lakes, has become waterlogged.

When the rain began, I hardly thought the flooding would get as bad as it did. Like a typical Northeasterner and nearly lifelong citizen of Plymouth County, I thought I would just brave it out and did very little to get ready. Luckily, my procrastination was not rewarded with empty grocery store shelves and horribly long lines. People toughed it out, like New Englanders do, and there was very little mayhem in the stores. The roads were another matter. Getting out to get to the store has been a hassle. Between the flooded streets and the befuddled drivers, it is a wonder there have not been more accidents. The fact that there have been very few downed trees and telephone poles in my area (Hanson/Pembroke) has been something of a relief. I have had power throughout the ordeal, as well.

Schools in the Hanson/Pembroke area have not had to close (like some in other parts of the northeast) and stores have not been overcrowded. However, that does not mean that we have not had our fair share of hassle. Flooding in local ponds and bogs have caused those with waterfront property plenty of misery. Joy Toombs, who lives on Oldham Pond in Pembroke, watched as her dock became covered in water and half of it floated more than a foot to the right. (Click here to view photos of the waterlogged dock) She had this to say about the incident: "It wasn't pleasant watching my dock split in half, but I'm happy that the water hasn't come up over the edge and into our home, like it did it to some of our neighbors. We've been very lucky."

As citizens of Plymouth County fight to get through flooded roads and to bail out their homes and cellars, the Massachusetts government is working to get them much-needed relief. Just yesterday, Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick announced that federal aid is becoming available for hard-hit victims of the flooding in Massachusetts. Gov. Patrick has this to say about the relief: "I am thankful to President Obama for recognizing the havoc the storm and flooding has inflicted on communities across the Commonwealth."

Click here to view a slideshow of flood pics from the Plymouth County area.

Sources

*Interview with Joy Toombs of Pembroke, Massachusetts

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, Federal Aid for Flood Assistance, retrieved 3/31/10, hanson-ma.gov/Public_Documents/HansonMA_BulletinBoard/029911E8-000F8513