Severe Thunderstorms Cause Hail, Flooding, and Lightning Across Southern New England
Severe thunderstorms swept through parts of southern New England on Monday afternoon, prompting officials from the National Weather Service to issue a series of warnings. The region experienced pop-up thunderstorms that brought hail, flooding, and lightning to several communities. To prepare residents for the incoming severe weather, a severe thunderstorm watch was issued for Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts, as well as parts of New Hampshire and New York.
The severe thunderstorm watch, which was in effect from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., cautioned about scattered hail, gusts of up to 65 miles-per-hour, and frequent lightning. While more specific severe thunderstorm warnings expired by 5 p.m., they still covered communities in Worcester County, southern New Hampshire, the South Coast, and Cape Cod. Additionally, the National Weather Service issued flash flood warnings in various areas of Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.
Throughout the afternoon, the storms caused significant damage. Hailstones were reported in Marion, Dennis, Rochester, Mattapoisett, Fairhaven, West Dennis, and Buzzards Bay. Social media posts and videos shared with the public documented the intensity of the storms, with one post from the Bourne Police Department on Facebook stating, “Today just got really interesting.” The department reported witnessing amazing lightning, torrential rains, and even large-sized hail.
Flooding became a major concern, with the Bourne Police Department noting heavy flooding in multiple locations around town. They urged drivers to exercise caution when navigating the roads. The Bourne Fire/Rescue & Emergency Service echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need for drivers to be careful. Reports emerged of parts of Route 6 in Bourne being completely flooded, with photos showing a car seemingly stuck in the water at the Bourne Rotary.
The National Weather Service received reports of flooding in Dennis, and a video from Falmouth captured multiple vehicles driving through deep water after the stormy weather subsided. In New Bedford, lightning strikes were captured in photographs, and in Sandwich, a lightning strike caused a fire. Fortunately, firefighters were able to rescue a family and their dog, ensuring their safety.
By around 9 p.m., most of the region began experiencing drier weather. Although tornados were not expected during Monday’s storms, the severe weather served as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of summer storms in New England. Looking ahead, Tuesday is expected to be calmer, but storms may return on Wednesday. To stay informed about severe weather updates, residents are encouraged to rely on 7NEWS both on-air and online.
In conclusion, severe thunderstorms swept through southern New England, bringing hail, flooding, and lightning to various communities. The National Weather Service issued severe thunderstorm warnings and flash flood warnings to alert residents. The storms caused damage, including flooding in multiple locations and lightning strikes that sparked a fire. Although the weather is expected to calm down in the coming days, residents are advised to stay updated on the latest weather conditions.
