KEENE – July’s soggy weather certainly put a deserved damper on the region’s drought problem.

The month of July was one of the wettest on record and towns like Jaffrey and Keene helped establish the Monadnock region as one of the wettest parts of the Granite State.

According to information released on July 31 by the National Weather Service, rain totals were 12 – 15 inches above what would be considered normal for the month.

Jaffrey received the most rainfall, with 19.17 inches last month, according to the National Weather Service. Jaffrey might normally receive 4.29 inches of rain in July, based on statistics going back to 1991 through last year.

While 4.35 inches of rain is considered normal for July, Keene experienced 16.93 inches. Otter Brook Lake in Keene received 17.85 inches of rain; Surry Mountain Lake in Surry received a total July rainfall of 18.19 inches; and Bradford in Merrimack Country got 16.9 inches.

A weekend storm on July 17 caused major flooding, as 5 – 8 inches of rain fell on the region, causing washouts and evacuations.

Voluntary evacuations in Marlow followed as heavier rain fell on July 29, causing road damage in Alstead. Three-to-five inches of rain fell during that weather event.

The NWS said in its Aug. 1 forecast that the severity of rainfall in July has left areas in the western corridor of the state susceptible to flash flooding.