Different Causes Found for New Hampshire 2006, 2007 Floods

Evaluation of the New Hampshire floods of May 2006 and April 2007 show that they were caused by different events.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency says that the May 2006 flooding was unusual because of the sheer volume of rainfall, which ranged from 6 inches inland to over 14 inches along the Seacoast over a two-day period. The region normally gets about 3.5 inches of rain in an average spring month.

FEMA says the April 2007 event was unusual because of the combination of heavy rainfall, which ranged from 4 to 8 inches across south-central and southeastern New Hampshire, and rapidly melting snow.

The evaluation, requested by Gov. John Lynch, recommended several actions to prevent future flood damage, including: improved floodplain management; improved flood forecasting; and a watershed approach to flood operations.