USA – Severe Flooding in Massachusetts After Heavy Rain

Storms and heavy rain caused localised flooding in parts of Massachusetts on 17 July, 2018. Some areas recorded 4.52 inches (114.8 mm) of rain in less than 24 hours.

Severe flash flooding was reported in Oxford, Framingham, Worcester and Westfield, with streets under flood water up to 1 metre (3 feet) deep in some areas. Roads around Boston saw some surface flooding.

Flooding in Oxford, MA, 17 July 2018. Photo: Oxford MA Police

Overall National Weather Service (NWS) Boston figures showed a total of 79 incidents of flooding across parts of Massachusetts. NWS Boston also reported a small tornado in the town of Ashford, Connecticut.

NWS said that, in a 22 hour period between 17 and 18 July, Belchertown recorded 4.52 inches (114.8 mm) of rain, Worcester 4.15 inches (105.41mm), North Grafton 3.80 inches (96.52mm), Westfield 3.79 inches (96.26mm) and Oxford 2.20 inches (55.88 mm).

Rainfall in Massachusetts, 17 July 2018. Image: National Weather Service (NWS) Boston

Social Media

From 3.28" in Hebron to 0.35" near Barkhamsted, big variations of rainfall in the small state of CT. Well done by these @CoCoRaHS observers. #ctwx A full listing for reports here @bobmaxon https://t.co/ujRXfVgjq8 pic.twitter.com/4sC6H7NcYl

— CT CoCoRaHS (@CT_CoCoRaHS) July 18, 2018

Flooding on Cross Street in Westfield, MA @nickbannin pic.twitter.com/rB650ECOjf

— Emu ✨ (@wxemu) July 17, 2018

Flash flooding -Sutton Ave Find alternate route! Please retweet pic.twitter.com/HVdD1GkpT1

— Oxford MA Police (@OxfordPD_MA) July 17, 2018

#BREAKING – Serious flash flooding happening right now in Worcester. Video from Juan Ortiz. #7News pic.twitter.com/TTRzB8M9di

— Mike Fahey (@michaelefahey) July 17, 2018

#BREAKING New video of serious flash flooding also happening right now on Route 9 in Framingham. Very dangerous conditions out there. Be careful if you have to be on the roads. Video from Kiat Cormier #7News pic.twitter.com/Wl9iSnGxLs

— Boston Sports News (@BostonSprtsNews) July 18, 2018

Boston was besieged by repeated downpours today – timelapse from 1pm to 5:30pm from https://t.co/VqHCbzJrJ0 located at the Museum of Science pic.twitter.com/DIAC4bpQ8w

— Michael McCormack (@IPTimelapse) July 18, 2018

Flood Summary

Last updated: August 29, 2018

Event

Massachusetts, USA, July 2018

Date

July 17 to July 18, 2018

Type

Urban flood

Cause

Extreme rainfall

Locations

A - Oxford, , Worcester and Westfield
B - Framingham
C - Worcester
D - Westfield

Magnitude

Rainfall level

114.8 mm in 24 hours
Belchertown - July 17 to July 18, 2018

Rainfall level

105.41 mm in 24 hours
Worcester - July 17 to July 18, 2018

Rainfall level

96.52 mm in 24 hours
North Grafton - July 17 to July 18, 2018

Rainfall level

96.26 mm in 24 hours
Westfield - July 17 to July 18, 2018

Rainfall level

55.88 mm in 24 hours
Oxford - July 17 to July 18, 2018

Damages

Additional

Massachusetts - July 17 to July 18, 2018
Numerous roads were flooded and some damage to buildings and cars reported. No official figures for damage were available.