April Showers??

Rain boots picture compliments of: Denise Silvia, Jenn Andrade, Lisa Justa,
Lindsay O’Donnell, Erin Rosparka.

Do April showers really bring May flowers? Evidence proves that the amount of rainfall in April does increase the quantity of blooming flowers during the month of May…BUT…what about when it's only March!

The Fall River region, along with other New England areas, has experienced record rainfall and flooding during March 2010.  Parts of local highways and Fall River streets were closed including Columbia Street and Mount Hope Avenue, two main local roads.  Route 24 North and South near I195 led commuters to detour through back roads in order to get home.  Rhode Island and Massachusetts issued a State of Emergency with the growing number of evacuations, school closings, and damage that took place.

According to Weather Underground (wunderground.com), this storm broke many local rainfall records.  The monthly total of 14.87 inches, as of 2 PM EST Wednesday, March 31, not only made this the wettest March in Boston’s recent weather history, but also is Boston’s all-time second wettest month.  (The period of record for detailed reporting near Boston dates back to 1872.) Tuesday, March 30, broke the 1931 record of 1.19 inches of rain in one day with 4.7 inches of rainfall.

The widespread three episodes of cumulative excessive rainfall within a three week period, between March 13 and March 31, is unprecedented in our recent 100 year weather history, especially during the cool season.

Anticipating the warm weather to come, residents are still recovering from flooding and water damage.  Many suffer from water in their basements and it seems to be a common yard ornament to have sump pump hoses hanging out of windows and doors.  Mother Nature has certainly left her mark!