The rain has stopped and the waters are slowly receding as Rhode Island faces some of its worst flooding on record due to a storm that soaked the Northeast this week.
The Pawtuxet, a major river in Rhode Island, is expected to stay flooded for the next several days according to the National Weather Service.
“The Pawtuxet River crested this morning at the record shattering level of 20.79 feet,” according to the Service, who says records for the river level date back to 1939. “The major flood state level is 13 feet. The river is not expected to fall to 13 feet until around midday Friday.”
The flooding throughout Rhode Island is the state’s worst in 100 years, according to Marcie Katcher of the National Weather Service, who was quoted in an LA Times report
No deaths have been reported from the floods.
“One of my sewer pump stations just failed, so it’s some bad news for many of the residents,” said Cranston, Rhode Island Mayor Allan Fung in a telephone interview with ABC’s “Good Morning America.” He said around 130 homes have been evacuated, schools were closed, and some roads.
“It’s some very dangerous conditions,” he said.
The Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) is reminding anyone participating in flood response activities to take precautions when working in floodwater.
“Floodwaters may contain raw sewage or other hazardous substances that can cause infections such as E. coli, Hepatitis A, or Tetanus,” said the Department.
President Obama signed an emergency declaration for Rhode Island earlier in the week, making federal funds available to help the state. Providence, Rhode Island Mayor David N. Cicilline is advising city residents and business owners who have incurred flood-related losses to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in order to access potential relief resources.
“A variety of resources, including immediate emergency assistance, grants and low-interest loans, may be available to qualified individuals and businesses who have suffered property, material, or other flood-related losses,” said Mayor Cicilline.
