Devastating Flooding & What We Can Do - AP, WBUR, Mass Live

Earlier this month, torrential downpours brought an unprecedented nine inches of rainfall in the span of four hours to Leominster, North Attleborough, and Providence, causing widespread devastation and near failure of a defunct dam. Our hearts go out to all those impacted by flooding. 

Climate change is making extreme storms like these more common––which is no surprise after one of the rainiest summers on record. Our cities and towns are simply not built for this level of inundation––which is why our work to build climate resilience and restore the river is critical. CRWA is working on tangible, nature-based solutions––flood storage, ending sewage overflows, removing defunct dams, building green infrastructure, and more. Read our statement and articles in the Associated Press, WBUR, MassLive, NBC 10, and Worcester Telegram.

“We are not seeing a shift in mindset related to dams that we should be seeing in light of the massive changes we’re seeing from climate change in terms of particularly more extreme storms,” said Emily Norton, executive director of the Charles River Watershed Association. “We think there should be much more sense of urgency.”