Flash flooding hit Newton on Tuesday morning with water levels closing off Albemarle Road and covering car wheels in the new Newton Free Library parking lot. A city worker indicated there was a gate in the duck pond that was being opened to accelerate the drainage to Bullough’s pond from the lot.
Ward 2 City Council candidate David Micley learned from home that his family’s 2009 Honda Odyssey minivan was in the flooding lot while one of his children was attending a library program. He came prepared with tall boots, but the water level was up to his shorts where his car was located.
“The water was basically, not quite to top of the bottom of the seats, but up to my mid calves inside the car. I was able to drive it out and then once I got to a dry road, I opened the doors and the water just came rushing out. I’m already talking about prioritizing city services and this is yet another example of doing the basics right. Obviously something was done wrong here.” He is hoping the car will not be totaled when assessed by an insurance adjustor tomorrow.
Many cars were not starting and horns blared due to electrical systems being impacted by the rising water. Mary Ann Hill tweeted in response to Fig City News footage, “Yup. Our car was submerged. Waiting for tow truck now that the water’s receding.”
In an email to the city, Mayor Ruthanne Fuller said, “This morning’s storm dumped 2.77 inches of rain here in Newton in less than two hours. Like cities and towns across Massachusetts, Newton’s stormwater infrastructure cannot handle this volume of rainfall in that short period of time. We had flash flooding across the city, including Homer Street (and the Newton Free Library parking lot), Albemarle Road, Union Street, Selwyn Road, and Border Street. Most areas of flooding have receded; however, we have areas that are taking a little longer to drain. Cleanup will continue into the evening and into the following days.”
At Cheesecake Brook along Ablemarle Road, the stream did not appear to breach the new footbridge or dislodge any cars, but it did strand the Gath pool lifeguards, who directed their safety focus from the closed pool to the flooded street.
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