Remembering Tropical Storm Irene 15 years ago

Now it hasn't been a very active Atlantic hurricane season so far this year, but there have been some hurricanes and tropical storms that have impacted us here in New England this time around. 22 news storm team meteorologist Adam Stremko is working for you with a look back at a tropical storm that caused major flooding in parts of Western Mass 15 years ago today, Adam. Well, Aretha Tropical Storm Irene moved up the Connecticut River Valley and caused major flooding in Franklin County. Today, the Deerfield River flowing underneath the Bridge of Flowers here in Shelburne Falls looks very tranquil, but that was very different 15 years ago today. Tropical Storm Irene made landfall on August 28th, 2011, bringing with it very heavy rain. That rain caused the Deerfield River to rise very rapidly. The raging river flooded homes and came dangerously close to flowing over the Bridge of Flowers and the Iron Bridge in Shelburne Falls. We could see that the river was rising seriously and I walked down. I live about a mile about 2 blocks from the river and I walked down to the river and saw all this detritus of people's lives floating by couches and parts of houses and pieces of cars and a whole lot of propane tanks were floating down the river. The water was smacking up against the bottom of this bridge and and I actually witnessed the building let go on the other side of the river and floating down and it was. It was just a crazy time to be here and not knowing what was going to happen. 300 people had to be evacuated and the Bridge of Flowers was closed for about a week and the Iron Bridge was closed for months until it was determined it was safe. Although Franklin County saw the worst from Irene, other areas also had to deal with significant flooding. The Westfield River went up over its banks, causing flooding to occur in Westfield. The water came up over Route 20 and the road had to be closed. Some of the shopping plazas along East Main Street were also flooded. Now we did have Tropical Storm Dolly that formed this week in the Atlantic, but it has now weakened to a tropical wave. Working for you. I'm 22 new storm team meteorologist Adam Stremko.