Parts of Rhode Island Crippled by Flooding
Over 2,500 houses and businesses in Warwick, Rhode Island have been flooded by the overflowing Pawtuxet River. The rain has calmed now to an occasional sprinkle but the flood that is said to be the most severe in 200 years is causing chaos and a whole lot of heartbreak.
The local shopping center – the Warwick Mall that consists of over 100 stores is surrounded by fast moving water. A fire boat had to be called in to pluck a security guard from the complex. There is no word when the mall will be able to re-open. Residents in Warwidk were told not to use the water because it may very well have been contaminated due to sewage backups. People are also being told that if they flush their toilets, they may end up with sewage water in their homes.
In one neighborhood, hundreds of people were forced to leave their homes because it was feared that a Pawtuxet River bridge was on the verge of collapse. Amtrak cut off service throughout the state of Rhode Island as long stretches of interstate 95 were shut down due to water standing on the roadway.
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano will be taking a tour of the flood ravaged state on Friday. The flooding in this tiny northeastern state isolated entire communities and crippled sewage treatment plants as it tore away bridges and sent many people rushing for the safety of higher ground. On Tuesday, President Obama issued an emergency declaration for Rhode Island which will bring much needed federal assistance to home and business owners who were hit hard by this disaster. FEMA officials are on hand opening disaster response centers in affected areas.
Even though the rain has stopped, the misery continues. Thousands of people are without power in Rhode Island as a result of this huge storm. Those without power may not see it back on for several days. Customers all across the state are being urged to conserve energy so as not to strain the already stressed power grid.
With Easter weekend approaching, it is safe to say that the holiday will be anything but enjoyable for the good people of the Ocean State. With any luck at all, the most they can hope for now is an end to the torrential downpours and some much need sunshine to help dry things out and lift downtrodden spirits.
