North Shore faces cleanup from flooding as more rain expected

LYNN, Mass. — People along the North Shore are drying out after a day of torrential storms.

In Lynn, more than 8 inches of rain over a few hours Sunday morning caused flash flooding, triggering traffic problems throughout the city.

At the height of the storm, dozens of roads were flooded and impassable and fire crews had to make several rescues.

The flooding also caused a major traffic jam on the Lynnway as the entire North Shore dealt with rain.

While some drivers heeded the warnings and chose not to drive in the rain, others weren't as lucky and ended up getting caught in the middle of the chaos. Some bigger and taller vehicles somehow managed to plow through the flash flood on the Lynnway.

"I should have stayed home, nice people finish last," said Jamie Davidson, who got stuck in the flood.

Davidson said she was helping free a friend from the flood waters, only to get stuck herself.

"I came [and] pushed her out of the Kentucky Fried Chicken parking lot, and then when I was trying to leave and escape out the back I got trapped in front of the Garelick Farms and that's all she wrote," said Davidson.

Most of the flooding actually happened when many were asleep, trapping early risers in the high waters and impeding others to get where they needed to be.

"I live right over the bridge and I was going to get a coffee and here I am, never made it," said Terri Mercurio.

Other parts of the city also got swamped with flood waters, such as Washington and Monroe streets.

"I guess they've gotten about six or seven inches of rain in Lynn," said Jeff Cohen.

Early in the afternoon, waters began to recede, allowing for traffic to finally move through. The area, however, was still under a couple feet of water.

More than 100 cars had to be towed.

Frank Ewing had a gaping hole in his home's foundation and a mandatory evacuation was forced for the homeowners, all after moving in just 10 days prior.

"Just a mess," Ewing said.

For Ewing, there were no other words to describe the situation.

Ewing and his wife had closed in on the house within the month, and now had to see it hoisted up on a metal jack as the foundation sat literally in limbo.

"I need a structural engineer before I can go in the basement," Ewing said.

Two doors down on Ainsworth Place, Donna Vargas is facing a wall of uncertainty due to several feet of floodwater that rose from her basement up to the floor boards.

"I found water pouring in vents to the basement," Vargas said. "It's horrible, it's really frustrating. Nothing you can do but be grateful. I thank God we still have electricity and we are healthy and we can still be here."

Despite the mess, city officials said they were thankful the heaviest rain didn't fall at high tide, which would have made things much worse.

Paul Ricchi, the emergency management director for Lynn, said he spent hours surveying the hardest hit areas on Monday, along with crews from the state.

Ricchi said, at this point, it doesn't look like the damage will meet the financial criteria for state relief.

"There are certain thresholds that we have to meet," Ricchi said. "We're just trying to get an idea of what might be available for disaster assistance right now."

Cox Media Group