By Owen Boss
Staff Writer
As one of the wettest Marches in state history came to a close, emergency crews statewide were warning residents about risks associated with flooding. Now, the state's Environmental Police are calling on residents to be extra cautious around swollen rivers and streams, some of which are running faster than usual and are expected to reach record depths this weekend.
According to the National Weather Service, two major storm systems that pummeled the state with more than 2 inches of rain at the end of March resulted in record-breaking rainfall totals. As runoff from the storms finds its way into area rivers and streams, conditions can become extremely dangerous.
"Right now we are just reminding people to use extreme caution when dealing with streams and rivers. It is swift water and it is cold water, and people should know that putting on a life vest is the most important thing they can do to stay safe," said Catherine Williams, an Environmental Police spokeswoman.
The weather service reported that on March 29, a record one-day rainfall of 1.67 inches was recorded at Worcester Airport, breaking a record set in 1986 of 1.46 inches. Then, the following day, the airport recorded receiving 2.43 more inches of rain, shattering the previous daily record of 1.78 inches set in 2001. Over the span of the month, the airport recorded 10.15 inches of rain, making 2010 the second wettest March since record keeping began in 1892. The record rain total for March is 11.13 inches in 1936, according to the service's Web site.
The record rainfall has caused area rivers and stream to swell to dangerous levels, and when combined with warm weather and cold water, Williams said the potential is there for danger. "This time of year our rivers are running an average of 40 degrees and at that temperature people can become hypothermic and that can weaken even a strong swimmer's ability to get themselves out of a dangerous situation," Williams said.
She noted that state law requires people kayaking or canoeing to wear life jackets between Sept. 15 and May 15, when rivers are particularly dangerous. On Thursday, the Connecticut River was the only local river above flood stage, measuring 113 feet, more than 6 feet higher than usual for this time of year. Other local river levels include the Mill River, 7.9 feet; the Deerfield River, 5.7 feet; and the Westfield River, 10.2 feet.
As the river depths decrease over the weekend and temperatures continue to rise, Williams said area residents who feel the urge to cool off in local waterways should remember that it is not the depth but the speed at which the river is moving that can get people into trouble.
"Sometimes, the safest decision a person can make with conditions like these is to not get into the water at all," Williams said.
Owen Boss can be reached at oboss@gazettenet.com.
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