NORTHAMPTON – Heavy rainfall on Monday night has caused the Connecticut River to rise to minor flood levels, according to the National Weather Service.
As of 5 a.m. on Tuesday, the river was at 112.2 feet and is expected to continue rising to near 112.4 feet throughout the morning. Flooding is expected to recede by the afternoon and the flood warning is in place until 6:48 p.m. The river is considered at flood stage when it reaches 112 feet.
“Significant rainfall over the past week or so,” has caused the rivers to reach flooding levels, said Lenore Correia, a meteorologist for the NWS. “Also, snow melting in Vermont is causing rivers to flood.”
Correia said the river will remain around flood levels throughout at the week. “Stay away from the river or any flood,” she said. “Just be safe because you can be swept away pretty easily.”
Lowland flooding is expected in and around the low lying sections of the Oxbow in Northampton. Minor flooding is expected to affect the area around Aqua Vitae Road in Hadley. Low lying sections, such as farmland unprotected by flooding protection, are expected to flood in Hatfield.