Gov. Healey declares state of emergency in Mass. attributable to ‘catastrophic’ flooding

Climate

Leominster and North Attleboro suffered a number of the worst flood injury attributable to Monday’s thunderstorms.

Street crews assess a sinkhole on Chestnut Avenue in Leominster, Mass. on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023. Components of Massachusetts and Rhode Island have been flooded by heavy rain Monday night time. Michael Casey/AP Picture

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey declared a state of emergency Tuesday night time after thunderstorms and heavy rainfall triggered “catastrophic” flash flooding in Worcester and Bristol Counties on Monday.

“Upwards of 10 inches of rain fell in Worcester and Bristol Counties, inflicting widespread flooding, downed timber, energy outages and injury to houses, companies, and infrastructure, together with bridges, dams and prepare tracks,” Healey’s workplace wrote in a press launch.

Leominster was notably exhausting hit by the flooding Monday night time, which the Nationwide Climate Service referred to as “life-threatening.” Mayor Dean Mazzarella declared a state of emergency, and metropolis faculties closed the subsequent day.

Pictures and video from Leominster Monday night time confirmed submerged vehicles in roads and parking heaps, flooded backyards, and folks being rescued from their vehicles. Not less than two sinkholes opened up through the storm, in accordance with WCVB.

North Attleboro additionally skilled extreme flooding on Monday. In keeping with a press launch, many roads within the city have been flooded, and firefighters rescued a number of individuals from their vehicles. City officers issued a catastrophe declaration, and North Attleboro Center Faculty was opened as a shelter.

Healey stated Tuesday night time that six state businesses, together with police and firefighters, have been activated to help communities ravaged by the flooding. The emergency declaration provides the governor expanded powers to help and coordinate the state’s response to the emergency scenario.

“At the moment I noticed firsthand the devastating impacts of extreme flooding in Leominster and North Attleboro,” she stated within the launch. “…We’re grateful for the general public officers who’ve been going above and past to answer this emergency, and our hearts are with the individuals of Massachusetts who’re confronting catastrophic injury to their houses, companies, and communities.” 

With extra rain predicted for Wednesday, individuals in elements of Leominster have been suggested to evacuate attributable to considerations in regards to the Barrett Pond Dam. Assets can be found to metropolis residents affected by the flooding.

Throughout equally heavy rainfall on Aug. 8, many municipalities throughout Massachusetts suffered in depth flooding injury. North Andover was amongst these most affected, with the city reporting practically $30 million in damages.