Pawcatuck at Westerly
Flood levels
Official flood levels at this gauge: action stage begins at 6.0 ft; minor flooding begins at 7.0 ft; moderate flooding begins at 9.0 ft; major flooding begins at 11.0 ft.
| Action stage | 6.0 ft |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 7.0 ft |
| Moderate flooding | 9.0 ft |
| Major flooding | 11.0 ft |
Highest recorded crests
- 15.0 ft on Sep 21, 1938 (historic crest)
- 12.9 ft on Jun 6, 1982 (historic crest)
- 10.5 ft on Mar 18, 1968 (historic crest)
- 9.8 ft on Jan 13, 2024 (historic crest)
What the water does
National Weather Service impact statements for this gauge, in the Weather Service's own words.
| 7.0 ft | Minor lowland flooding occurs along the Pawcatuck River. Along Route 3 in Hopkinton, floodwaters encroach on lowest lying homes in French Village. |
|---|---|
| 8.0 ft | Floodwaters approach lowest lying homes along Hiscox Road in Westerly. Along Route 3, flooding occurs at some homes in French Village in Hopkinton. |
| 9.0 ft | Lowland flooding is anticipated from Hopkinton downriver through Westerly, Stonington and New Stonington. Lowest lying homes along Hiscox Road in Westerly are inundated by floodwaters. Along Route 3, flooding occurs at homes in French Village in Hopkinton. Follow the advice of local officials, and evacuate if asked to do so. Floodwaters may inundate Route 49 by the North Stonington and Stonington town line. |
| 10.0 ft | Floodwaters encroach on Route 3 near the Hopkinton and Westerly town line, with substantial flooding at French Village. Hiscox Road is closed due to flooding from Route 3 past Saratoga Street, and low lying homes are impacted in that neighborhood. Floodwaters encroach on low lying industrial and residential properties along Canal Street. Stonington and New Stonington are also impacted, including a portion of Route 49. Follow the advice of local officials, and evacuate if asked to do so. |
| 11.0 ft | Floodwaters inundate Route 3 near the Hopkinton and Westerly town line, with substantial flooding at French Village. Flooding forces closures of Maxson and Laurel Streets in Hopkinton. Hiscox Road and several homes in that neighborhood are inundated, floodwaters also reach onto lower Saratoga Street and low lying areas of Canal Street. Inundation also occurs along portions of Stonington and New Stonington including a portion of Route 49. Follow the advice of local officials, evacuate if asked to do so. |
| 12.0 ft | Major flooding occurs in Westerly, Hopkinton, Stonington and New Stonington. Areas hardest hit include the following, in Hopkinton, Maxson, Church and Laurel Streets, Route 3, and French Village. In Westerly, Hiscox Road, Saratoga Street and Canal Street. Substantial flooding occurs on Route 49 by the Stonington and North Stonington town line. Follow the advice of local officials, and evacuate if asked to do so. |
Forecast office: NWS Norton · River Forecast Center: Northeast River Forecast Center.
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Nearby stations and gauges
- Westerly NOAA tide station · 0.3 mi
- Atlantic Coast at Watch Hill Cove (IN MLLW) NWS gauge · 5.3 mi
- Weekapaug Point NOAA tide station · 5.4 mi
- Watch Hill Point NOAA tide station · 5.7 mi
- Pendlenton Hill Brook near Clarks Falls NWS gauge · 6.2 mi
- WEST MYSTIC NOAA tide station · 7.9 mi