Flash Flood — Cheshire, New Hampshire

2005-10-09 · near Alstead, Cheshire, New Hampshire

Wider weather episode

A slow-moving cold front interacted with the remnants of Tammy, producing significant rainfall and flooding across southern New Hampshire. Storm total rainfall ranged from between 9 and 11 inches across southwest New Hampshire; and the worst flooding occurred in the Ashuelot River basin, where the community of Alstead lies. Approximately 1000 people were evacuated in southwest New Hampshire during these floods.The most destructive flooding occurred in Alstead, where there was loss of life, totally destroyed homes and businesses, and numerous bridge washouts. At approximately 6 AM EST, an estimated 20 to 30 foot flood wave resulted when an embankment failed. This flood wave traveled down Warren Brook, destroying over one dozen homes, wiping out bridges, and severely damaging many other structures. This flash flood scoured out numerous, large sections of route 123, and downed utility poles for a five mile stretch. Downstream, this flooding took out an old double stone-arched bridge in Walpole along the Cold River.In Hinsdale, road washouts were observed with locally severe flood damage near downtown Hinsdale. A culvert for Kilburn Brook became blocked with tree and rock debris late Saturday night and eventually gave way to wipe out a section of Main Street (Route 119), destroying an abandoned house.Two known fatalities resulted from this significant flood event. One Alstead man was found dead in a cornfield near the Cold River in Langdon, succumbing to the Warren River culvert breach. He did not leave his home after being told to evacuate. A kayaker from Antrim was missing and presumed dead; he was last seen kayaking on the North Branch River in Antrim.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (43.1500, -72.3667)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5478006. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.