Worst flooding in over 70 years hits the US by Kaye Forster
An intense area of low pressure has brought heavy rain and flooding to many eastern US states over the past few days, forcing thousands to flee from their homes. The flooding is believed to be the worst in over 70 years.
The pressure system and its associated fronts stretched from Maine right the way to Florida. One of the worst hit states is Massachusetts, where a state of emergency has been declared. Water levels have reached waist height in many regions and rescuers are battling to pull cars from the flooded roads and rescue people trapped in their homes.
The flood waters have also burst sewage pipes in the area causing over 115 million gallons of waste to be dumped into the Merrimack River every day.
In New Hampshire, the flooding has left a section of rail tracks suspended in mid air, forcing many train cancellations. Many schools are also closed.
The rain has fallen continuously for 3 days, causing rivers to swell across many eastern states. In Rhode Island, the river Pawtuxet flowed at around 240cm (8 feet), just short of flood stage. In New Hampshire more than 600 roads were either destroyed, damaged or underwater, and in Maine, the floods washed away bridges and threatened two major dams.
Parts of Essex County, just north of Boston received around 430mm (17 inches) of rain during the three day event, and in Miami, Florida, 103mm (4 inches) were recorded in just 6 hours.
An additional 50-150mm (2-6 inches) of rain is forecast by Wednesday, which could push totals up to record breaking levels in many parts, and undoubtedly cause more flooding.
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