Yeesh

Current weather alert from the NWS in Taunton (one of many):

…FORECAST FLOODING INCREASED FROM MODERATE TO MAJOR SEVERITY…
THE FLOOD WARNING CONTINUES FOR THE NASHUA RIVER AT EAST PEPPERELL.
* FROM THIS EVENING UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
* AT 11:30 AM TUESDAY THE STAGE WAS 6.2 FEET.
* FLOOD STAGE IS 8.0 FEET.
* MAJOR FLOODING IS FORECAST.
* FORECAST…RISE ABOVE FLOOD STAGE BY THIS EVENING AND CONTINUE TO RISE TO NEAR 15.1 FEET BY TOMORROW EVENING.
* IMPACT…AT 16.0 FEET…WIDESPREAD INUNDATION OF RESIDENTIAL AREAS ALONG THE NASHUA RIVER IS LIKELY. AREAS THAT WILL BE THE MOST IMPACTED INCLUDE PARTS OF EAST PEPPERELL…HOLLIS AND NASHUA. TAKE ACTION NOW TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY IF YOU LIVE IN A FLOOD PRONE AREA. FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICIALS. IF YOU ARE ASKED TO EVACUATE…DO SO IMMEDIATELY.

They’re using words like “unprecedented” and “record” and “100 year flood”–although not for this area so much as the South Shore, the corner of Massachusetts between the Cape and Rhode Island. In fact…exactly where my fictional characters in Rainbow Stone House live, their basement is definitely flooded, and probably parts of their road! They’re right in the middle of the region that’s been getting socked like this all winter and spring. It’s no laughing matter, the real world Fall River is in serious straits at the moment. 🙁 They might be getting up to ten inches of rain from this one storm!

It’s pouring. The end of my driveway and the grass section beside it are huge standing puddles. My Tuesday errands can wait. I’m betting that Rte 119 and other roads will be closed tomorrow. I’m just hoping we don’t lose the dam–or the bridge!