We have been getting much, too much rain lately. This has become a critical problem for RI in the last couple of days. Although a few weeks ago there was some flooding, that was contained to areas near the river banks. Now, the roads have become the river banks. For the first time in probably 20 years we have water in the basement, a good amount too. The sump pump has been going almost at a steady pace to keep up with the incoming water because of the rising underground water table. It comes into the sump area as well as just through the floor. Luckily the side we had carpeted and finished this past summer never got too much water and that side seems mostly dry, except around the doors to the wet side. We’ll get the carpet vacuumed probably.

Many roads are closed in RI, schools are dismissed early, they even canceled evening classes at Providence College. I drove home on my usual route, from Eaton Street to River Avenue, to Valley Street. When I arrived to the turn off to the freeway I noticed that a police car had blocked the road. A quick look explained the reason, the road was flooded just in front of the old US Rubber (not many will remember the old company) I turned back and entered Rt. 10 from the Dean Street side, the traffic was moving fine until I came to Park Avenue exit where I normally turn left to go to  Warwick Avenue. Noticing the traffic jam going in that direction, I turned right to take Elmwood Avenue. That worked until I saw the police car a mile or so down the road blocking the traffic because the road was impassable. Back to Park Avenue and I continued on that following the very slow moving traffic. I made it to Warwick Avenue but the traffic was still moving very slowly. At 5:15 PM I started taking photographs with my phone. It took me full 10 minutes to drive about 500-600 feet to pass by Shaw’s Supermarket whose parking lot and the store was flooded. From the first photograph to the last one you will see part of what I saw in that 10 minute period. That section of the road is now closed as the Pawtuxet River crested over 18-20 feet. This is the second flooding of Shaw’s Supermarket along with many other businesses elsewhere, like Warwick Mall, and many homes. Our situation is relatively mild compared to what others have been reporting. Official word is that this has been the most rain RI has received in the last 100 years.

Tomorrow, there is only a “chance” of showers. We are taking it as good news!

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5. Variations on Water: Reflections (Visual Canon)
6. Pawtuxet River Rushing
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