The Flooding in New Hampshire

It does not reach the levels of Katrina or Rita, and no taciturn Granite Stater would suggest that it does. But the recent rains and flooding in New Hampshire are nonetheless an enormous tragedy. The northeast most often has to deal with Mother Nature's wrath in the form of epic snow storms. And oftentimes the many feet of winter accumulation lead to flooding in the spring, but this is clearly different.

The little town of Alstead was hit worst, but my own hometown of Newport to the north (which is neither new nor is it a port, inasmuch as the Sugar River is not navigable, unless you count floating down it on inner tubes in the summer) took its share of damage. My uncles bought the local golf course a couple of years back by taking a huge risk and a leap of faith. Much of the back nine runs along the Sugar River, and it has been largely destroyed. My Dad's house is adjacent to the golf course, and seems to have avoided the worst of it, as it is located on high land. Downtown was pretty much shut down, with some parts re-opening just today. Fortunately everyone appears to be ok, but for those of you who pray, the folks up there could well use it. For those of you who don't, a few kind thoughts might have the same effect.