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Region mops up, but swollen rivers remain a concern

E-mail|Link|Comments () March 16, 2010 05:30 PM

By Shana Wickett, Globe Correspondent, and Milton J. Valencia and John R. Ellement, Globe Staff

Noah would know the feeling. Many relieved Massachusetts residents cleaned up and pumped out their basements today as the sun finally beamed down and the muddy waters began to recede from the storm that doused the region Saturday through Monday.

But officials remained concerned about storm-swollen rivers, with the National Weather Service warning that widespread flooding will continue along the banks of several rivers in eastern Massachusetts at least through Wednesday.

Storm scenes

"While it's bright and sunny, the potential flood danger still exists," said Scott MacLeod, spokesman for the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency

Officials also urged those with storm-related damage to take advantage of the sunny weather and begin documenting the damage for two reasons – first to seek coverage from their insurance company and to also help the state collect data on the costs of the storm.

MacLeod said that the state will use the information in hopes of convincing federal disaster officials to provide financial aid to affected homeowners and businesses.

People are asked to call 211 and pass on their damage estimates. They can also get information about existing programs that might be of some help, including how to connect to counseling programs, MacLeod said.

More information on 211 is available at mass211.org.

The weather service said that nearly all of the larger rivers have crested and will slowly recede over the next few days. The exceptions were the Merrimack River at Haverhill, which is expected to crest this evening and the Charles River at Dover, which is expected to crest tonight.

Forecasters warned that children should not play near swollen rivers, streams or culverts.

More than 10 inches of rain fell in Woburn and Topsfield, more than 9 inches fell in South Weymouth and Milton, and 8 inches or more fell in Cambridge, Braintree and Billerica, according to the weather service.

With the Shawsheen River appearing to have hit its highest expected levels, officials in Billerica wary of flooding are now turning their eyes to the Concord River on the other side of town.

Billerica Deputy Fire Chief Tom Ferraro said the town would close Boston Road near Route 3A in north Billerica sometime this afternoon because of concerns that the Concord River will flow over the road.

State transportation officials said this afternoon that conditions were expected to improve significantly on the evening commute, but commuters still could see some localized delays from storm-related flooding and closures. They also warned that potholes may be reopening, posing a threat to many a tire and axle.

The officials also said that problems would continue on the Riverside branch of the Green Line, where a sinkhole opened up underneath the tracks.

"It started as a sinkhole that was about 3 to 5 feet in diameter, and then it went from a sinkhole to a complete washout of the rail bed beneath the track," said Joe Pesaturo, spokesman for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. "It grew by the hour yesterday."

The washed-out Green Line rail bed. (David L. Ryan / Globe Staff)

The area of washout grew from about 50 feet when crews left the scene last night to about 60 feet when they arrived this morning, Pesaturo said. The hole is halfway between Chestnut Hill and Newton Centre stations.

"That's space that was occupied by earth just a day ago," Pesaturo said, after noting that about 12 feet of space exists between the track and the ground below.

Officials said that the MBTA did not expect to be able to restore service this week and until the water recedes, a timetable cannot be set for repairs. Buses are running between the Newton Highlands Station and Reservoir Station.