Deluge: Flooding in New Hampshire

Record rainfalls throughout southern and central New Hampshire over the weekend led Gov. John Lynch to declare a state of emergency and activate the National Guard. Forecasters predict as much as 15 inches of rain will have fallen in some parts of the state by Monday night.

Hundreds of highways have washed out or flooded, many residents have left homes flooded or threatened by rising rivers, streams, and vulnerable dams. Hundreds of schools and businesses have closed. Homeowners and business owners by the thousands continue to pump water from flooding basements.

Office of Emergency Management spokesperson Jim Van Dongen says his department strongly suggests that residents curtail all non-essential highway travel. “With more than 800 roads out in eight counties, it just makes sense,” he says.

Department of Environmental Services officials warn residents to stay out of flood waters, which may contain toxins and harmful bacteria, to wear protective gear if you must travel through flood waters, to disinfect items that come in contact with flood water (Use 1/4 cup bleach to one gallon of water as a disinfectant.), and to test the water in shallow wells that have flooded before using it for drinking or bathing.

We’ve assembled this list of online information resources and will continue adding to it as we get more information.