Watch CBS News

Irene Causes Major Damage In White Mountains Region

HOLDERNESS, NH (CBS) - In New Hampshire, the biggest problem with Irene was the rain. The Pemigewasset River busted its banks Sunday night, flooding Plymouth State University.

The campus is now underwater, and so are the homes and businesses around it. No one thought the storm would hit the area so hard.

The White Mountains region suffered some of the state's worst damage.

WBZ-TV's Lauren Leamanczyk reports

In Plymouth and Holderness, water closed roads and bridges. Swollen rivers are starting to recede, but they've already waterlogged homes.

One family got caught in the flood. Corina Gilmore, her kids and a couple of their friends went out on a trip to the store. When they returned just an hour later, the Pemigewasset River had washed out the road. In the dark, they could not see the water.

Lauren Leamanczyk spoke with Corina

Power outages also struck the state hard. More people lost power in Irene than in any non-winter storm in 20 years.

Throughout New Hampshire there are more than 40 state roads and 200 local roads closed thanks to Irene. There is no word yet on how much the cleanup will cost.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.