Tropical Storm Irene, White Mountains

Flash flood of the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River in Lincoln, New Hampshire USA during Tropical Storm Irene in 2011. Loon's South Mountain bridge can be seen downstream. This tropical storm / hurricane caused destruction along the East coast of the United States and the White Mountain National Forest of New Hampshire was officially closed during the storm.
East Branch of the Pemigewasset River during the storm
 

August 2011, Tropical Storm Irene – From 6PM Saturday, August 27, 2011 through midnight Monday, August 29, 2011 the White Mountain National Forest was closed because of Tropical Storm Irene. This tropical storm caused massive damage along the East Coast of the United States and the White Mountain National Forest was officially closed during the storm.

Tropical Storm Irene has caused massive destruction throughout New England. Many bridges, buildings and roads have been washed away, and officials are saying roads will be closed for weeks. Many of the rivers in the White Mountains region of New Hampshire have been badly eroded and are clogged with trees.

On August 27, 2011, the White Mountain National Forest was officially closed at 6:00PM because of Tropical Storm Irene. This image shows how the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River in Lincoln, New Hampshire looked on August 28, 2011. This tropical storm caused destruction along the East Coast of the United States and the White Mountain National Forest of New Hampshire was officially closed during the storm.
East Branch of the Pemigewasset River during the storm
 

The photos included in this blog article show scenes during Tropical Storm Irene and the damage left behind. And the above two photos are of the Lincoln Levee, located behind the village of Lincoln, on the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River during the storm.

Aftermath of flash flood along the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River in Lincoln, New Hampshire USA from Tropical Storm Irene in 2011. This tropical storm / hurricane caused destruction along the East coast of the United States and the White Mountain National Forest of New Hampshire was officially closed during the storm.
East Branch of the Pemigewasset River – downed trees
 

Deep in the Pemigewasset Wilderness, there is massive erosion damage along the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River. The above photo shows the piles of uprooted trees that line the river.

Trail washout along the Lincoln Woods Trail in Lincoln, New Hampshire USA from Tropical Storm Irene in 2011. This tropical storm / hurricane caused destruction along the East coast of the United States and the White Mountain National Forest of New Hampshire was officially closed during the storm.
Lincoln Woods Trail – White Mountains, NH
 

Trail washout is evident along the Lincoln Woods Trail. If you come across dangerous sections of trail or hanging trees, I recommend notifying the professional organizations who are involved with the clean up. This work is not for unauthorized groups who are untrained in disaster clean up.

Riverbank erosion along the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River in Lincoln, New Hampshire USA from Tropical Storm Irene in 2011. This tropical storm / hurricane caused destruction along the East coast of the United States and the White Mountain National Forest of New Hampshire was officially closed during the storm.
Riverbank erosion along the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River
 

Most of the areas along the rivers that suffered erosion damage are very unstable. As I was photographing the above section of erosion damage, near the junction of Lincoln Woods Trail and the Osseo Trail, the soil and rocks were dropping down into the river.

Historical Timber trestle which crosses Black Brook along the old East Branch & Lincoln Logging Railroad in Lincoln, New Hampshire USA suffers damage from Tropical Storm Irene in 2011. Stone support washed away causing section of the trestle to drop about two feet. This tropical storm / hurricane caused destruction along the East coast of the United States and the White Mountain National Forest of New Hampshire was officially closed during the storm.
Historic Trestle 16 Still Standing – Pemigewasset Wilderness
 

Somehow the old historical timber Trestle 16 (above), which crosses Black Brook along the old East Branch & Lincoln Railroad, survived the flood with minimal damage. One of the stone footings has been completely washed away causing a section of the trestle to drop about two feet. And there is an old landslide on the Hancock Mountain Range that looks to have slid again.

The destruction left behind from Tropical Storm Irene leaves me speechless. And this is the worst weather event I have ever photographed in the New Hampshire White Mountains. View more images of Tropical Storm Irene damage here.

Happy image making..


 

More Reading: Tropical Storm Irene before and after photos.

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