Torrential downpours sparked dangerous flash floods in central Massachusetts on Monday evening, prompting officials in one city to evacuate residents and declare a state of emergency.
Between 6 and 9 inches of rain fell Monday in northeastern Worcester County, where a flash flood warning was in effect until 8 a.m. Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.
A flash flood emergency was declared for Leominster, about 40 miles northwest of Boston where forecasters urged residents to quickly seek higher ground. Forecasters also said surrounding towns including Fitchburg, Lunenberg and Sterling could also experience flash flooding.
“This is an extremely dangerous and life-threatening situation,” the weather service said in an advisory. “Do not attempt to travel unless you are fleeing an area subject to flooding or under an evacuation order.”
By Monday night, conditions in Leominster had grown so severe that the city declared a state of emergency.
“Due to flooding and potential damage to facilities, schools will be closed Tuesday,” said a bulletin on the city’s website, adding that one elementary school was being used as a shelter. The flooding also caused commuter rail lines to be rerouted.
At least one neighboring town, Hubbardston, sent a fire engine to Leominster to help rescue people who were trapped.
Mayor Dean Mazzarella of Leominster toured the city by car Monday night, showing on his Facebook page washed-out roads and damaged homes.
“All the streets are flooded, trust me,” he said in a Facebook Live video. “Don’t think you’re going to go out and sightsee.” At least one section of Leominster was evacuated because of a nearby reservoir, he said.
On Tuesday morning, as he toured a parking lot behind a mall, Mazzarella showed that the water had reached as high as the door handles of some disabled vehicles.
“The water has subsided,” he said, pointing to the vehicles that needed to be towed. He added that the drivers of the cars “either washed in or got disoriented as to where the road was.”
The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency said on social media Tuesday that it would send 3,000 sandbags to Leominster as well as staff to help at shelters for evacuated residents.
Gov. Maura Healey of Massachusetts said on social media early Tuesday that the flooding across Leominster and surrounding communities was “catastrophic” and that she had spoken with Mazzarella and state agencies who were on the ground with boat rescue and emergency response teams. She would also be visiting the flooded areas to survey the damage, she said online.
By 1 a.m. Tuesday, heavy rain had largely come to an end across southern New England, the weather service said.
However, the forecast indicated that more rain was on the way, which could hamper cleanup and possibly rescue efforts as they carry over into Tuesday.
Scattered showers were forecast for Tuesday morning before a frontal system was expected to dump soaking rains over parts of the region Wednesday.
c.2023 The New York Times Company
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