Water damage restoration in Keene

The October 2005 event produced record rain and flooding, with totals of around 12 inches near Keene. ^[1] Seven months later, May 2006 brought another significant flood. ^[1] Some households dealt with cleanup twice, and homes that dried quickly the first time faced the same questions again.

The lesson is that a wet year can stack events. Ground already saturated has little room to absorb more, and the Ashuelot drains almost the whole city. ^[1] July 2023 storms also affected New Hampshire, ^[2] and local reports noted heavy rain in Keene that month.

Students make up a substantial part of the city's population. ^[1] Older houses converted to rentals may have several tenants and a landlord in another town. Tenants should report leaks right away, in writing as well as by phone, and photograph their own belongings. Renters insurance, if you have it, is separate from the owner's policy.

Winter breaks create a specific risk. A heating failure in an empty house can freeze pipes with nobody there to see it. Owners should plan checks during long absences; see the frozen pipes guide.

Keene runs its own city government. Ask about permits and floodplain rules before substantial repairs, particularly near the Ashuelot.

Up the Connecticut River valley are Lebanon and Hanover. To the east lie Nashua and Manchester.

The Ashuelot begins at Butterfield Pond in Pillsbury State Park, near Washington, and runs about 64 miles to the Connecticut at Hinsdale, making it the longest Connecticut River tributary in New Hampshire. ^[5] It passes Ashuelot Pond, then Keene and Swanzey, turning west at Winchester. ^[5] It is dammed for hydropower at several places, including Keene. ^[5] Rain far to the north can therefore reach the city many hours later, which helps when forecasts are watched closely.

Tributaries matter too. The Branch and the South Branch of the Ashuelot both feed the main river. ^[5] Rain concentrated on one of these sub-basins can raise water on a street miles from the main stem. Keene's central area lies on broad, flat ground, which means water can spread out and take a while to go down. Compare your property with official flood maps and do not base your plans on any one past flood, since 2005 and 2006 behaved differently.

Keene State College began as Keene Teachers College and took its current name in 1963. ^[1] Older homes near campus and downtown may have been divided into several units over the decades, with altered plumbing, added bathrooms and basement rooms. Water tends to find these changes. A bathroom built into a former bedroom may have drain lines in places the original builder never intended, and a leak there can mark ceilings in a surprising location.

Basement bedrooms deserve particular attention. After any water entry, damp walls, carpet and low ceilings can make for poor air, and people should not sleep in a wet room. Landlords should also consider egress and safety when rebuilding, and check with the city about any requirements. Tenants should photograph belongings and check whether a renters policy is in place; parents' policies may or may not extend to students.

The city carried out major improvements to Main Street and Central Square in 1987, ^[1] and the wide main street with its older commercial blocks is part of the city's identity. Many of those buildings have basements that sit fairly low, and water coming in at street level can reach stored goods and mechanical systems. Business owners should keep inventory and records up off the floor, and they should know where the shutoffs are for water, gas and power.

Flood-prone basements often work better when used as simply as possible. Moving electrical panels and heating equipment up, where it can be done, reduces the time a building is out of action after a flood. If you are rebuilding after damage, ask about flood-resistant materials for lower levels, and speak with the city about any floodplain rules that apply before you start.

The 2005 and 2006 events showed what happens when a house has barely recovered before water returns. Materials replaced the first time may be wet again, and drying records from before can be useful for comparison. If a house floods twice, it is worth rethinking what goes back in: paperless board low on the wall, tile or sealed concrete floors, and outlets and equipment raised above the likely level.

Insurance may treat repeat losses differently, and floodplain rules can apply if damage reaches a certain level. Ask your insurer and the city what applies, and keep records of what was done and when. Old stains can confuse things, so have readings done to show what is actually wet today. If your home flooded in those years, tell the contractor, as earlier repairs may affect what they find.

Back to all of New Hampshire. Nearby pages: Concord, Laconia, Lebanon and Hanover, Manchester, Nashua, Portsmouth.

Related help for Keene: water extraction, structural drying, sewage backup cleanup, fire damage restoration and smoke damage cleanup. First time dealing with this? Read the first hours after water damage.