NORTHAMPTON -- The water came fast and hard. While the impact of Tropical Storm Irene was relatively light in the lower Valley, damage was severe in pockets of Hilltown communities, and in western Franklin County. 

Here is a slideshow of storm images taken by Gazette photo editor Carol Lollis and Editor Larry Parnass and by a variety of contributors, including Nina Kleinberg, William Mullin, Jessica Kaczenski and Keith Harmon Snow.