DALTON, N.H. (WCAX) – Like Vermont, communities across New Hampshire have begun picking up the pieces from the violent storms that ripped through the region.
New Hampshire Department of Transportation trucks were making constant fill runs on Route 135 Friday. The section of road was likely the hardest hit in the state.
“Route 135 from Lancaster down through Monroe in many locations is impassable or restricted to one lane,” said Alan Hanscom of NH DOT.
But crews were making quick work of it and expected to have most temporary fixes in place by the weekend. They urge drivers to be cautious and patient.
“Ideally there would be full sign packages every place, but we just don’t have the resources. There are just so many numerous spots,” Hanscom said.
But this section will be closed for weeks– a blown-out bridge in Dalton. Eventually, once all of the ruined structure is removed, a one-lane temporary bridge will be put up.
Laura Read lives just a mile or two down the road.
“We got the alert that there was a tornado warning, so I went down to the basement,” Read said.
The downpours that followed had her fearful the culvert out front would fail. The closed road to the north is a new concern.
“It’s pretty inconvenient but at least we can still get to Littleton from our house,” Read said.
Her son works in Lancaster. His daily commute time will likely be tripled in both directions.
“I think he may have to go to St. Johnsbury then loop all the way around. So, what’s normally a 15-minute drive might turn into a 45-minute drive,” Read said.
NH DOT crews are still assessing all the damage throughout Grafton and Coos counties. At this point, they say it’s too soon to put a price tag on the repairs.
Unlike Vermont, where the storms turned out to be deadly, no significant injuries were reported in New Hampshire.