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Rain improving Massachusetts’ drought conditions

WWLP, April 6, 2017, By Mike Masciadrelli

Rain improving Massachusetts’ drought conditions

TURNERS FALLS, Mass. (WWLP) – There was heavy rain across western Massachusetts on Thursday, but it didn’t keep everyone indoors.

“Rain is always beneficial. It creates flooding and things like that, but we need it,” said Angelie Peterson of Easthampton.

Rain came down hard all day in Franklin County and it led to some minor street flooding, like on Avenue A in Turners Falls. We had to deal with puddles and a rising Connecticut River at the Montague Dam in Turners Falls.

A Flood Watch is in effect for Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire and Berkshire counties. Much of Franklin County remains in a moderate drought.

“There’s some threats of flooding, we want some little bit of a balance there, but generally I think its good news because its early enough in the season where it won’t interfere with farmers at this point,” said Claire Morenon, Communications Manager of CISA.

Morenon said last summer’s lack of rain hurt Franklin County farmers. According to the USDA, drought conditions in Massachusetts are improving. No parts of the state is considered in a severe drought.

Morenon did add that a very rainy early spring could delay planting in the fields, but she’s not expecting that to happen.