Flooding in New England--will it affect summer travel?

Connie,

Unless a road washed out, or a particular place someone wants to visit/eat/stay was damaged extensively, the flooding by and large should have little effect on visiting most places this summer - at least so far.

For example, Peabody Square (the center of the city of Peabody, near Salem on the North Shore) regularly floods when there are heavy rains. It flooded during the rains of a couple of weeks ago (so badly that streets were closed), it was pumped out, it flooded again this week, it is being pumped out again (including the basements of area businesses and residents).

As another example, a couple of weeks ago a rain-spawned sinkhole swallowed part of Route 62 through Danvers (also on the North Shore). Now there is a detour around that section until they can repair it - no big deal. It is in town, but gets mostly local traffic.

The caveats to this, of course, are (1) April and May are normally rainy months (whereas March is not), and even if they are not "months for the record books" New England could still get a fair amount of rain over the next several weeks; and (2) additional rain might cause more problems like damage to roads and bridges weakened by the March rains.

Still, If you are visiting in June or later, I would not worry at this point.

The locally infamous "Mothers' Day" flood of 2006 had many rivers and streams near me (North of Boston) flooded worse than this storm. Within a few weeks everything that tourists would see was almost back to normal - little things like a 7-11t out of business and because a Dunkin Donuts later - but nothing of significance.

Two things are certain - there will be gigantic mosquitoes and by about mid-July officials will be shrieking about a drought so that I can not water my tomato plants.

<<<Two things are certain - there will be gigantic mosquitoes and by about mid-July officials will be shrieking about a drought so that I can not water my tomato plants.>>>

In California, every year "they" complain that the snow-pack is too dry to rectify the drought. What do they do in New England - complain that the rain is too dry?

The flood damage does not seem to be as serious as the 2006 flood nor the one on Columbus Day weekend in 2005 (that one washed out several roads in western NH, devastating one town in particular). I think the 2006 flood actually rerouted a river in NH. Many years ago the Army Corps of Engineers put in flood control dams. Our town has one. The river thru town gets awfully high but the homes along the river have been fine. We're probably far better off than the areas with rivers that aren't on a flood control system. But, in general, life and travel goes on as before. The repairs probably aren't any worse than normal road and bridge repairs that go on as part of normal maintenance. I've heard that some places that suffered damage in previous floods took extra precautions this year, moving furniture, computers, etc to a higher floor.

Rhode Island seems horribly effected - probably trying for truth in naming and attempting to actually become an island. Several smaller bridges are gone or close to, leaving some parts of some towns totally cut off from anywhere else.

Damage I have heard about in most of eastern New England seems mostly in areas of small businesses and residences - although an entire moderate sized enclosed shopping mall in Rhode Island is under feet of water.

I think you'll be fine. Most of the damage was in Rhode Island and parts of Massachusetts. Here in New Hampshire and Vermont, there's been a fair amount of rain, but no real damage. By summer, things should be back to normal most everywhere.

Thanks everyone. I heard about a road washing out this morning. I'll guess we'll just keep checking. It would be great if you locals could keep us informed. I trust you more than the media.

Yes - several roads have washed out. If it is the way to your house, school or job it is devastating. But these are secondary roads.

Just FYI - New England is now in a spell of unusually warm, sunny weather - almost summer like - just what the doctor ordered!

These floods can be devastatng for local who have homes or businesses that have to be pumped out, dried out, and perhaps rebuilt - but the effect on tourist routes is usually minimal and/or short term. Acela is down and Amtrak delayed due to water in RI - but should be back on schedule withint a couple of days.

Connie,

Where are you going in New England? Most of the flooding has occurred in low-lying areas near rivers and lakes. Many homeowners have experienced water in their basements, but far from everyone.

Rhode Island seems hardest hit, but as long as you're not planning on going to a mall in Warwick, I can't possibly imagine you'll even notice flood damage.

I live in Boston and while the water is high in rivers and ponds, it hasn't really impacted anything that would affect visitors.

Enjoy your trip!

We are driving up the coast from DC to Acadia N.P., routed through RI, then over to northern NH, VT and NY.

Thanks everyone. Sounds like it will still be a good year to come.