National Weather Service meteorologists have extended a flash flood emergency into Tuesday morning for the city of Leominster and surrounding Massachusetts communities amid what they describe as life-threatening flash flooding. Emergency management reported thunderstorms producing heavy rain in Leominster, roadways being washed out and flood waters entering homes and businesses. Two emergency shelters have been set up in Leominster, one at Francis Drake Elementary School and the other at Skyview Middle School. The Meadowbrook Acres mobile home park was evacuated Monday night, as rescue crews brought residents to safety either by boat, stretchers or on a large military vehicle that carried people and their suitcases.Water from the typically tranquil Fall Brook overflowed and was rushing down Route 117 into late Monday night, washing away parts of the roadway and buckling the pavement.The flash flooding caused a large sinkhole to form in the middle of Pleasant Street in Leominster. Those floodwaters then continued to wash out the ground underneath a sidewalk and threaten the foundation of a nearby home, forcing it to be evacuated.The flooding also caused a mixed-use commercial building on Spruce Street to partially collapse.One video shared with NewsCenter 5 shows the flash flooding turned a section of Exchange Street into a raging river. Watch that video in the player below.”Everything’s flooded,” Leominster Mayor Dean Mazzarella said. He urged residents not to go out unless they had to.”Everyone has been called in, police and fire,” Mazzarella said in a video posted to social media.Mazzarella said first responders were responding to issues as quickly as possible.”Literally, catch basins were four feet up. Water just lifted them four feet off the ground, so we’re worried about that,” Mazzarella said late Monday night. “If you’re traveling around, you might not see one of those catch basins. The covers are off and you’re going to drive right into them.”Video below: Leominster mayor describes flood damageThe Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) has warned drivers that Route 2 was closed in both directions due to the flooding in Leominster. Route 2 east between Mount Elam Road and Exit 100 (Route 13) was closed for hours, but reopened shortly after 12:35 a.m. Monday. Route 2 west remains closed between Exit 101 (Interstate 190) and Mount Elam Road in Leominster.Video below: Cars struck, drivers stranded due to Route 2 floodingIn addition, Leominster Public Schools Superintendent Paula Deacon announced that schools will be closed Tuesday due to the extensive flooding from Monday’s storm.Track storms with Interactive Radar | Weather AlertsThe flash flood emergency, which also covers Fitchburg, Lunenburg and Princeton, is scheduled to expire at 8 a.m. Tuesday.”Move to higher ground now!” the National Weather Service bulletin said. “This is an extremely dangerous and life-threatening situation. Do not attempt to travel unless you are fleeing an area subject to flooding or under an evacuation order.”Vehicles were submerged up to their roofs in flash flooding Monday afternoon on Route 2 in Fitchburg, Massachusetts.The video, shot by a passenger inside a vehicle traveling across the North Main Street bridge over the highway, shows several feet of water covering vehicles on the road. At least three vehicles were seen submerged in the video. The flooding was taking place in the area of Exit 99 along Route 2 near the Fitchburg Airport. The highway was closed to traffic in both directions.The Fitchburg airport reported over 4.4 inches of rain, with 2.77 inches of rain falling in just one hour.In a message shared on social media, Fitchburg Mayor Stephen DiNatale warned residents that the city is experiencing flash flooding in low-lying areas. The mayor advised Fitchburg residents in need of assistance should call 978-829-1900.A spokesperson for the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency said local coordinators from MEMA’s regional offices are in communication with emergency management officials in communities that have been impacted by flooding, and that those MEMA coordinators are facilitating any requests for assistance.”There are catastrophic floods in the Leominster area and other communities across the state this evening. My heart goes out to the impacted communities and public safety personnel,” Gov. Maura Healey said in a statement. “I’ve spoken with Mayor Mazzarella and instructed state agencies to do all that they can to assist. The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), Massachusetts State Police (MSP) and Department of Fire Services (DFS) are on the ground with boat rescue and emergency response teams to ensure the safety of our residents.”Flash flood warnings were also posted for areas of southeastern Worcester County and parts of Norfolk and Bristol counties until late Monday night.
National Weather Service meteorologists have extended a flash flood emergency into Tuesday morning for the city of Leominster and surrounding Massachusetts communities amid what they describe as life-threatening flash flooding.
Emergency management reported thunderstorms producing heavy rain in Leominster, roadways being washed out and flood waters entering homes and businesses.
Two emergency shelters have been set up in Leominster, one at Francis Drake Elementary School and the other at Skyview Middle School.
The Meadowbrook Acres mobile home park was evacuated Monday night, as rescue crews brought residents to safety either by boat, stretchers or on a large military vehicle that carried people and their suitcases.
Water from the typically tranquil Fall Brook overflowed and was rushing down Route 117 into late Monday night, washing away parts of the roadway and buckling the pavement.
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The flash flooding caused a large sinkhole to form in the middle of Pleasant Street in Leominster. Those floodwaters then continued to wash out the ground underneath a sidewalk and threaten the foundation of a nearby home, forcing it to be evacuated.
The flooding also caused a mixed-use commercial building on Spruce Street to partially collapse.
One video shared with NewsCenter 5 shows the flash flooding turned a section of Exchange Street into a raging river. Watch that video in the player below.
“Everything’s flooded,” Leominster Mayor Dean Mazzarella said. He urged residents not to go out unless they had to.
“Everyone has been called in, police and fire,” Mazzarella said in a video posted to social media.
Mazzarella said first responders were responding to issues as quickly as possible.
“Literally, catch basins were four feet up. Water just lifted them four feet off the ground, so we’re worried about that,” Mazzarella said late Monday night. “If you’re traveling around, you might not see one of those catch basins. The covers are off and you’re going to drive right into them.”
Video below: Leominster mayor describes flood damage
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) has warned drivers that Route 2 was closed in both directions due to the flooding in Leominster. Route 2 east between Mount Elam Road and Exit 100 (Route 13) was closed for hours, but reopened shortly after 12:35 a.m. Monday. Route 2 west remains closed between Exit 101 (Interstate 190) and Mount Elam Road in Leominster.
Video below: Cars struck, drivers stranded due to Route 2 flooding
In addition, Leominster Public Schools Superintendent Paula Deacon announced that schools will be closed Tuesday due to the extensive flooding from Monday’s storm.
Track storms with Interactive Radar | Weather Alerts
The flash flood emergency, which also covers Fitchburg, Lunenburg and Princeton, is scheduled to expire at 8 a.m. Tuesday.
“Move to higher ground now!” the National Weather Service bulletin said. “This is an extremely dangerous and life-threatening situation. Do not attempt to travel unless you are fleeing an area subject to flooding or under an evacuation order.”
Vehicles were submerged up to their roofs in flash flooding Monday afternoon on Route 2 in Fitchburg, Massachusetts.
The video, shot by a passenger inside a vehicle traveling across the North Main Street bridge over the highway, shows several feet of water covering vehicles on the road.
At least three vehicles were seen submerged in the video.
The flooding was taking place in the area of Exit 99 along Route 2 near the Fitchburg Airport. The highway was closed to traffic in both directions.
The Fitchburg airport reported over 4.4 inches of rain, with 2.77 inches of rain falling in just one hour.
In a message shared on social media, Fitchburg Mayor Stephen DiNatale warned residents that the city is experiencing flash flooding in low-lying areas. The mayor advised Fitchburg residents in need of assistance should call 978-829-1900.
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A spokesperson for the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency said local coordinators from MEMA’s regional offices are in communication with emergency management officials in communities that have been impacted by flooding, and that those MEMA coordinators are facilitating any requests for assistance.
“There are catastrophic floods in the Leominster area and other communities across the state this evening. My heart goes out to the impacted communities and public safety personnel,” Gov. Maura Healey said in a statement. “I’ve spoken with Mayor Mazzarella and instructed state agencies to do all that they can to assist. The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), Massachusetts State Police (MSP) and Department of Fire Services (DFS) are on the ground with boat rescue and emergency response teams to ensure the safety of our residents.”
Flash flood warnings were also posted for areas of southeastern Worcester County and parts of Norfolk and Bristol counties until late Monday night.