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Billerica Residents Ready In Case Of Flooding

BILLERICA (CBS) - People living near rivers and streams are keeping a close eye on the rain that moved in on Sunday, and some are taking steps to avoid trouble.

A year ago, Billerica neighborhoods surrounding the Shawsheen River and Concord River flooded badly after days of heavy rain.

Check: Current Conditions | Weather Map Center | Interactive Radar | River Conditions

With a flood warning already issued for the two rivers, residents are concerned.

The Concord River remained partially frozen on Sunday, but those who live on its banks said it's rising by the hour.

WBZ-TV's Jim Smith reports.

One year after severe flooding, residents are ready just in case.

"We just cope with it. We just try to row our boats in and try to get back and forth as best we could," said one woman. "If you live here, you get used to it."

Some years are worse than others, however.

"Well, I actually had a part of my foundation blow out (last year) underneath one corner that filled my basement with three and a half feet of water. But other than that, once we got that fixed or filled with sandbags, I was able to keep up with it with my pump," said a man.

Public works crews in many communities tried to get ready by clearing storm drains and catch basins.

Workers in South Boston sucked debris out of drains with a giant vacuum on Sunday. While there is not much snow around, there were plenty of leaves and other trash have collected in recent weeks.

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