Rainstorms that crossed the Island last month were exactly what the
Vineyard needed. After a September that was the wettest month of the
year so far, lawns are once again lush and plants are looking healthy.
According to rainfall data collected at the National Weather Service cooperative station in Edgartown, the total rainfall for the past month was 6.15 inches. The Vineyard hadn't seen that much rainfall since the 6.11 inches that fell in August of last year.
A month ago, Island farmers were complaining that it was dry. Now,
halfway through August, it is even drier - so much so that
Vineyarders are looking for new superlatives to describe the arid
conditions.
The Cape and Islands led the state in rainfall earlier in the year. But on Wednesday, the state announced that because of lack of rainfall the region had moved from a drought advisory to a drought watch.
There is no drought on Martha's Vineyard. While dry conditions may continue in other parts of the Northeast, the Vineyard has had healthy rainfall thus far this year.
But despite spring rains, Vineyard ground water levels are at or near their 25-year low. This has raised concerns that homes in outlying areas, those with wells near the coast, may be vulnerable to saltwater intrusion.
Saturday night and most of Sunday the fiercest storm in many years prevailed over the northern and eastern part of the country.
The damage by the storm will aggregate several millions of dollars along the entire New England coast, not to mention the loss inland. Sea-faring men declare that not in the last half century has there been a gale so severe to shipping interests as this.
