In 2011, severe springtime flooding followed by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee in late summer washed out roads throughout mountains of New York and New England as culverts not designed for such enormous volumes of water were overwhelmed.

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Recurrent loss of life and property is caused by storm surges and extreme waves associated with severe tropical and extra-tropical cyclones.

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All the while, many northeastern states and parts of southern Canada were experiencing their wettest year on record -- the most severe flooding coming in the wake of Hurricane Irene in late August and Tropical Storm Lee which followed quickly on her heels.

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