Dreary Day, as Promised.

Our day has gone steadily downhill. This morning our temp was around 45 degrees and while it was cloudy, there wasn't much weather going on. Around noon we had some sleet, maybe a little hail - hard to tell, and then rain off and on until around 2 o'clock when the rain became steady and heavier. Right now (5 o'clock) we have a reading of 35 degrees and the rain really coming down hard. Tonight it could become freezing rain at least in the higher elevations, but we'll wait for the weather report at six o'clock for the rest of the forecast and any news of flooding in our area.

I had this message today from Tom Dente, who lives in Middletown, CT, on the Connecticut River:

Good Morning Jane,
Yesterday was a great day here in CT. as the sun warmed us up to 72 degrees F. and the wind was calm. Nice day for yard work. Thanks again for the pictures of Clubhouse Circle.

The Connecticut River is now past flood stage and increasing in level. The forecast is for another 2 feet by late Saturday. I think the rain up North will produce more than that but perhaps not until next week. Just as a reference, flood stage is eight feet above a datum point established years ago, and the river is expected to hit 10 feet tomorrow. In 1984 the river crested at 21 feet isolating Middletown except for one road to the west. Major flood level is defined as in excess of 15 feet. I'll keep you informed as to results. Thanks, Tom

If this keeps up, some towns along the Connecticut will certainly see some very high water. We will hope not too much damage will be done, but water is a huge force of nature and hard to control. We are checking our basement where we sometimes get seepage this time of the year, but so far only a trace of water near a doorway. We begin to wonder about the pond level, of course, but so far the remodeled rubber dam has been able to keep up with the flow.

We'll try to keep everyone posted on water level here and where friends are if they contact us, and also what effect the rain will have on the ice.