Soaked and stunned residents in neighborhoods across Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut have begun surveying and fixing damage from several days of flooding and a reported tornado, while they and others in the region also prepare for more heavy rain and strong winds from Hurricane Lee starting Friday.
There are reports across the states of flooded homes and cars, impassable roads, structures compromised by sinkholes, downed trees, and power outages caused by thunderstorms and torrential rains on Monday and yesterday.
The National Weather Service in Boston reported that radar also appeared to show effects of a tornado in Rhode Island and Connecticut yesterday.
The agency issued a tropical storm watch for much of coastal New England from parts of Rhode Island to Maine, including Block Island, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket.
“Hurricane Lee is forecast to pass offshore of southern New England on Saturday but its impacts will extend far from the storm’s center. Lee should bring rough surf and possible storm surge flooding, damaging winds, and bands of heavy rain to at least coastal areas of Massachusetts and Rhode Island,” the National Weather Service warned this morning.
Hurricane Lee to Push Unusual Cape Cod Bay Surge: Weather Watch
The heavy rain may result in flash flooding Friday night and Saturday, mainly near the coast. Rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches are possible in a short period of time.
Life-threatening storm surge flooding is possible on the bay side of Cape Cod and the northern side of Nantucket.
Given Lee’s large size, significant impacts will be felt far away from the center of the circulation, according to Phil Klotzbach, Ph.D., a Triple-I scholar and a well-known weather scientist at Colorado State University, in a video.
Governor Maura T. Healey has declared a state of emergency in Massachusetts due to the catastrophic flash flooding and property damage in Worcester and Bristol counties where upwards of 10 inches of rain fell, causing widespread flooding, downed trees, power outages and damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure, including bridges, dams and train tracks. The city of Leominster and town of North Attleboro were hit hard.
Healey said state agencies have been on the ground assisting communities. In addition to the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, personnel and resources from the state police, fire services, dam safety, conservation, and transportation agencies are assisting in the impacted communities.
Lightning struck a two-and-one half story home in Newburyport, Massachusetts yesterday afternoon. The city’s firefighters were able to bring the blaze under control and keep it from spreading with the aid of neighboring fire departments. The home suffered extensive water and smoke damage. The homeowner was not home when the fire started and there were no injuries.
Maine is under a hurricane watch.
Maine Governor Janet Mills and the Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) urged residents to be prepared in advance of Hurricane Lee potentially making landfall in Maine at the end of this week. Mills said the state is coordinating with public safety and transportation officials, federal and local emergency management officials, and utilities in advance of the storm.
Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee yesterday convened the leadership of all state agencies to review preparedness and response plans. The Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency (RIEMA) will convene state agencies directors today to conduct a tabletop exercise on hurricane response.
Topics Massachusetts Maine