State of emergency declared in Leominster as a result of ‘life-threatening’ flooding, faculties closed Tuesday

Native Information

Leominster, Fitchburg, and Lunenburg are below a flash flood emergency.

Amid thunderstorms and heavy rainfall Monday night, Leominster Mayor Dean Mazzarella declared a state of emergency as a result of in depth flooding within the metropolis.

Mazzarella introduced the state of emergency on Fb at 6:30 p.m. Round 7:45 p.m., Leominster Public Faculties Superintendent Paula Deacon introduced that metropolis faculties could be closed Tuesday due to the flooding.

Simply earlier than 9:40 p.m., Mazzarella posted on Fb that Francis Drake Elementary Faculty at 95 Viscoloid Ave. had opened as an emergency shelter.

“In case you don’t should exit, don’t,” Mazzarella stated on Fb dwell. “All of the streets are flooded.”

The Nationwide Climate Service reported simply earlier than 10 p.m. Monday that six to 9 inches of rain had fallen in northern Worcester County. A flash flood warning is in impact in Leominster, and close by communities Fitchburg and Lunenburg, till 8 a.m. Tuesday.

The service warned individuals within the space to maneuver to excessive floor and to not enter flooded roads.

“That is a particularly harmful and life-threatening state of affairs. Don’t try to journey until you’re fleeing an space topic to flooding or below an evacuation order,” it wrote within the flood warning.

Pictures and video from the town confirmed flooded streets the place drivers wanted rescuing from their vehicles and backyards and vehicles submerged in water. Route 2 skilled significantly dangerous flooding, and was closed in both directions Monday night.

Mazzarella stated faculties and basements throughout the town had been flooded, and that there are emergency conditions taking place at a excessive rise and a nursing dwelling.

“Every little thing’s only one massive lake,” he stated.

Mazzarella stated all doable police, firefighters, and volunteers had been known as in to assist individuals who want rescuing from the flooding. He stated he’s in touch with MEMA and hopes to get assist from different communities.

See extra pictures and movies of the flooding: