Alert archive / Massachusetts / Flash Flood Warnings in 2016

Flash Flood Warning 5, NWS Boston/Norton, MA

October 21, 2016Worcester County, Massachusetts

NWS Boston/Norton, MA issued this flash flood warning at Oct 21, 2016, 6:54 PM EDT for Worcester County, Massachusetts. It was in force for 2 hr. 55 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued
Oct 21, 2016, 6:54 PM EDT (22:54 UTC)
Expired
Oct 21, 2016, 9:00 PM EDT
In force
2 hr
Issued by
NWS Boston/Norton, MA
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

County Worcester County, MA

The radar

The Boston radar (KBOX), 83 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:53 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
Oct 21, 6:58 PM EDTFLOODWorcester, MAWOMAN TRAPPED IN A CAR IN FLOOD WATERS ON CAMBRIDGE STREET.
Oct 21, 6:58 PM EDTFLASH FLOODWorcester, MAWOMAN TRAPPED IN A CAR IN FLOOD WATERS ON CAMBRIDGE STREET.
Oct 21, 7:14 PM EDTFLOODWorcester, MACARS REPORTIED FILLING WITH WATER ON CHANDLER STREET AND ON GOLDWAITHE AND LINCOLN STREET.
Oct 21, 7:14 PM EDTFLASH FLOODWorcester, MACARS REPORTIED FILLING WITH WATER ON CHANDLER STREET AND ON GOLDWAITHE AND LINCOLN STREET.
Oct 21, 7:20 PM EDTFLOODClinton, MABROOK STREET FLOODED AND IMPASSABLE.
Oct 21, 7:20 PM EDTFLOODFitchburg, MAA SECTION OF THE JOHN FITCHBURG HIGHWAY WAS FLOODED OUT.
Oct 21, 7:20 PM EDTFLOODFitchburg, MAWIDESPREAD URBAN AND POOR DRAINAGE FLOODING.
Oct 21, 7:20 PM EDTFLOODLeominster, MASECTIONS OF MAIN STREET...PLEASANT STREET...AND CENTRAL STREET WERE FLOODED AND IMPASSABLE.
Oct 21, 7:20 PM EDTFLOODWorcester, MAALL MAJOR INTERSECTIONS IN THE GREEN STREET AREA WERE FLOODED AND IMPASSABLE. ONE CAR WAS STUCK IN FLOOD WATERS ON GREEN STREEET. NUMEROUS LOW LYING AREAS WERE FLOODED.
Oct 21, 7:20 PM EDTFLASH FLOODFitchburg, MAA SECTION OF THE JOHN FITCHBURG HIGHWAY WAS FLOODED OUT.
Oct 21, 7:20 PM EDTFLASH FLOODLeominster, MASECTIONS OF MAIN STREET...PLEASANT STREET...AND CENTRAL STREET WERE FLOODED AND IMPASSABLE.
Oct 21, 7:20 PM EDTFLASH FLOODWorcester, MAALL MAJOR INTERSECTIONS IN THE GREEN STREET AREA WERE FLOODED AND IMPASSABLE. ONE CAR WAS STUCK IN FLOOD WATERS ON GREEN STREEET. NUMEROUS LOW LYING AREAS WERE FLOODED.
Oct 21, 7:21 PM EDTFLOODWorcester, MAGROVE STREET AT ROUTE 122A FLOODED OVER ONE FOOT IN DEPTH.
Oct 21, 7:21 PM EDTFLASH FLOODWorcester, MAGROVE STREET AT ROUTE 122A FLOODED OVER ONE FOOT IN DEPTH.
Oct 21, 7:22 PM EDTFLOODLeominster, MAINTERSECTION OF WASHINGTON STREET AND GROVE AVENUE FLOODED AND IMPASSABLE...FD BLOCKING ROAD.
Oct 21, 7:22 PM EDTFLOODWorcester, MACAMBRIDGE STREET CLOSED AND BARRICADED BY POLICE NEAR THE INTERSECTION WITH KANSAS STREET WHERE INTERSECTION IS FLOODED WITH 7 FEET OF WATER..
Oct 21, 7:22 PM EDTFLASH FLOODWorcester, MACAMBRIDGE STREET CLOSED AND BARRICADED BY POLICE NEAR THE INTERSECTION WITH KANSAS STREET WHERE INTERSECTION IS FLOODED WITH 7 FEET OF WATER..
Oct 21, 7:24 PM EDTFLOODWorcester, MA2 PEOPLE STUCK IN CAR DUE TO FLOODING ON PLEASANT TERRACE.
Oct 21, 7:24 PM EDTFLASH FLOODWorcester, MA2 PEOPLE STUCK IN CAR DUE TO FLOODING ON PLEASANT TERRACE.
Oct 21, 7:27 PM EDTFLOODLeominster, MAMCKAY STREET ENTERING THE HOSPITAL IS CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING. PD/FD SEEKING ALTERNATE ROUTES TO HOSPITAL.
Oct 21, 7:27 PM EDTFLASH FLOODLeominster, MAMCKAY STREET ENTERING THE HOSPITAL IS CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING. PD/FD SEEKING ALTERNATE ROUTES TO HOSPITAL.
Oct 21, 7:29 PM EDTFLOODWorcester, MACAR SUBMERGED IN FLOOD WATERS ON BRIDGE STREET.
Oct 21, 7:29 PM EDTFLASH FLOODWorcester, MACAR SUBMERGED IN FLOOD WATERS ON BRIDGE STREET.
Oct 21, 7:30 PM EDTFLOODWorcester, MACAR FILLING WITH WATER...DRIVER ON HOOD OF CAR AT THE INTERSECTION OF BANCROFT AND CHANDLER STREETS.
Oct 21, 7:30 PM EDTFLASH FLOODWorcester, MACAR FILLING WITH WATER...DRIVER ON HOOD OF CAR AT THE INTERSECTION OF BANCROFT AND CHANDLER STREETS.
Oct 21, 7:35 PM EDTFLOODWorcester, MACARS STUCK IN FLOOD WATERS ON HIGHLAND STREET. WATER HAS GONE OVER THE CURBS AND IS NEARING BUSINESSES.
Oct 21, 7:35 PM EDTFLASH FLOODWorcester, MACARS STUCK IN FLOOD WATERS ON HIGHLAND STREET. WATER HAS GONE OVER THE CURBS AND IS NEARING BUSINESSES.
Oct 21, 7:41 PM EDTFLOODFitchburg, MACAR STUCK IN FLOOD WATERS ON SHELLEY AVENUE.
Oct 21, 7:41 PM EDTFLOODWorcester, MASEVERAL CARS STUCK IN FLOOD WATERS ON I-290...WATER IS UP TO THE SUV TIRES.
Oct 21, 7:41 PM EDTFLASH FLOODFitchburg, MACAR STUCK IN FLOOD WATERS ON SHELLEY AVENUE.
Oct 21, 7:41 PM EDTFLASH FLOODWorcester, MASEVERAL CARS STUCK IN FLOOD WATERS ON I-290...WATER IS UP TO THE SUV TIRES.
Oct 21, 7:44 PM EDTFLOODWorcester, MAPARK STREET AND HIGHLAND AVENUE FLOODED AND IMPASSABLE WITH SEVERAL CARS STUCK IN FLOOD WATERS.
Oct 21, 7:44 PM EDTFLASH FLOODWorcester, MAPARK STREET AND HIGHLAND AVENUE FLOODED AND IMPASSABLE WITH SEVERAL CARS STUCK IN FLOOD WATERS.
Oct 21, 7:50 PM EDTFLOODWorcester, MAMAJOR TAYLOR BOULEVARD AND SUMMER STREET WERE CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING. CAR STUCK IN FLOOD WATERS.
Oct 21, 7:50 PM EDTFLASH FLOODWorcester, MAMAJOR TAYLOR BOULEVARD AND SUMMER STREET WERE CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING. CAR STUCK IN FLOOD WATERS.
Oct 21, 7:53 PM EDTFLOODClinton, MACAR STUCK IN FLOOD WATERS ON HIGH STREET.
Oct 21, 7:53 PM EDTFLOODLancaster, MAMAIN STREET IS FLOODED AND IMPASSABLE...SANDBAGS ARE BEING SET UP.
Oct 21, 7:53 PM EDTFLASH FLOODLancaster, MAMAIN STREET IS FLOODED AND IMPASSABLE...SANDBAGS ARE BEING SET UP.
Oct 21, 7:54 PM EDTFLOODShrewsbury, MAROUTE 9 AT OAK STREET WAS FLOODED UP TO THE TOPS OF CAR TIRES.
Oct 21, 7:54 PM EDTFLASH FLOODShrewsbury, MAROUTE 9 AT OAK STREET WAS FLOODED UP TO THE TOPS OF CAR TIRES.
Oct 21, 8:01 PM EDTFLASH FLOODWorcester, MASEVERAL STREETS FLOODED AND IMPASSABLE UP TO 4+ FEET...INCLUDING COUNTRY CLUB BOULEVARD.
Oct 21, 8:02 PM EDTFLASH FLOODLeominster, MATHE LEOMINSTER HOSPITAL KING STREET ENTRANCE RAMP IS CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING.
Oct 21, 8:04 PM EDTFLOODWorcester, MAHARDING STREET AT POND STREET IS FLOODED. WATER IS COMING OVER THE CURBS INTO A RESTAURANT.
Oct 21, 8:04 PM EDTFLASH FLOODWorcester, MAHARDING STREET AT POND STREET IS FLOODED. WATER IS COMING OVER THE CURBS INTO A RESTAURANT.
Oct 21, 8:07 PM EDTFLASH FLOODWorcester, MAHAMMOND STREET. AND HIGHLAND STREET AT PARK AVENUE CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING AND FLOOD WATERS RISING. CARS STUCK...POSSIBLY FLOATING.
Oct 21, 8:10 PM EDTFLOODOxford, MAONE LANE OF MAIN STREET WAS ENTIRELY FLOODED OUT. FOUR TO FIVE INCHES OF STREET FLOODING ON CLOVER STREET.
Oct 21, 8:24 PM EDTFLASH FLOODWorcester, MA20+ CARS STUCK IN FLOODWATERS NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF HIGHLAND STREET AND PARK AVENUE. THE AREA NEAR RODMANS FURNITURE STORE IS FLOODED AND CLOSED.
Oct 21, 8:38 PM EDTFLASH FLOODWorcester, MATHREE PEOPLE RESCUED FROM CARS STUCK IN FLOOD WATERS.
Oct 21, 8:42 PM EDTFLASH FLOODWorcester, MADRIVER RESCUED FROM ROOF OF VEHICLE ON ELLSWORTH STREET. I-290 IN BOTH DIRECTIONS WAS CLOSED AT EXIT 18 DUE TO FLOODING.
Oct 21, 8:45 PM EDTFLASH FLOODWorcester, MAPLANTATION STREET FROM OAKHURST STREET TO INTERSTATE 290 WAS FLOODED WITH UP TO 4 FEET OF WATER.
Oct 21, 8:46 PM EDTFLASH FLOODWorcester, MAA CAR WAS STUCK IN FLOOD WATERS ON IRVING STREET.
Oct 21, 8:49 PM EDTFLASH FLOODWorcester, MAMULTIPLE PEOPLE RESCUED FROM CARS STUCK IN FLOOD WATERS AT THE INTERSECTION OF CAMBRIDGE AND KANSAS STREETS.
Oct 21, 8:51 PM EDTFLASH FLOODWorcester, MA2 CARS WERE STUCK IN FLOOD WATERS ON SHORE DRIVE BY INDIAN LAKE. THE CAMBRIDGE STREET UNDERPASS WAS FLOODED AND IMPASSABLE.
Oct 21, 8:53 PM EDTFLASH FLOODShrewsbury, MAGOLD STREET WAS FLOODED WITH WATER RUSHING OVER THE ROAD.
Oct 21, 8:55 PM EDTFLASH FLOODWorcester, MAMLK BOULEVARD FLOODED UP TO THE UNDERPASS BRIDGE IN A LOW LYING AREA. MULTIPLE FLOODED BASEMENTS REPORTED.

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

The nearest sounding before it

Albany, NY (KALY), launched 12:00Z, 10.9 hours before the alert went out and 168 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Albany, NY at 12:00Z on 2016-10-21Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Albany, NY at 12:00Z on 2016-10-21The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 304 square meters per square second.1939587897Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
778 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
51 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
304 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
339 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

431 
WGUS51 KBOX 212254
FFWBOX
MAC027-220100-
/O.NEW.KBOX.FF.W.0005.161021T2254Z-161022T0100Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
FLASH FLOOD WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
654 PM EDT FRI OCT 21 2016

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN TAUNTON HAS ISSUED A

* FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR...
  CENTRAL WORCESTER COUNTY IN CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS...

* UNTIL 900 PM EDT

* AT 653 PM EDT...DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED HEAVY RAIN ACROSS THE
  WARNED AREA. UP TO TWO INCHES OF RAIN HAVE ALREADY FALLEN IN
  SOME LOCATIONS. FLASH FLOODING IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN SHORTLY.

* SOME LOCATIONS THAT WILL EXPERIENCE FLOODING INCLUDE...
  WORCESTER...LEOMINSTER...FITCHBURG...SHREWSBURY...GARDNER...
  GRAFTON...HOLDEN...WEBSTER...SOUTHBRIDGE...AUBURN...NORTHBOROUGH...
  OXFORD...CLINTON...MILLBURY...CHARLTON...SPENCER...DUDLEY...
  LEICESTER...WINCHENDON AND LUNENBURG.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A FLASH FLOOD WARNING MEANS THAT FLOODING IS IMMINENT OR OCCURRING.
IF YOU ARE IN THE WARNED AREA MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND IMMEDIATELY.
RESIDENTS LIVING ALONG STREAMS AND CREEKS SHOULD TAKE IMMEDIATE
PRECAUTIONS TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY.

&&

LAT...LON 4262 7167 4260 7166 4253 7168 4252 7164
      4202 7172 4203 7212 4264 7204 4264 7186
      4263 7186 4264 7185 4263 7178 4264 7175

$$

FRANK
1 follow-up statement
229 
WGUS71 KBOX 212322
FFSBOX

FLASH FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
722 PM EDT FRI OCT 21 2016

MAC027-220100-
/O.CON.KBOX.FF.W.0005.000000T0000Z-161022T0100Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
WORCESTER MA-
722 PM EDT FRI OCT 21 2016

...THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM EDT FOR
CENTRAL WORCESTER COUNTY...

AT 718 PM EDT...TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTERS REPORTED FLASH FLOODING
OCCURRING IN THE WORCESTER METROPOLITAN AREA.  SIGNIFICANT URBAN
STREET FLOODING IS OCCURRING THROUGHOUT WORCESTER AND THERE ARE A
FEW REPORTS OF VEHICLES TRAPPED IN FLOOD WATERS.  FLASH FLOODING IS
OCCURRING! DO NOT DRIVE THROUGH FLOODED ROADWAYS!

SOME LOCATIONS THAT WILL EXPERIENCE FLOODING INCLUDE...
WORCESTER...LEOMINSTER...FITCHBURG...SHREWSBURY...GARDNER...
GRAFTON...HOLDEN...WEBSTER...SOUTHBRIDGE...AUBURN...NORTHBOROUGH...
OXFORD...CLINTON...MILLBURY...CHARLTON...SPENCER...DUDLEY...
LEICESTER...WINCHENDON AND LUNENBURG.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TURN AROUND...DON'T DROWN WHEN ENCOUNTERING FLOODED ROADS. MOST FLOOD
DEATHS OCCUR IN VEHICLES.

A FLASH FLOOD WARNING MEANS THAT FLOODING IS IMMINENT OR OCCURRING.
IF YOU ARE IN THE WARNED AREA MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND IMMEDIATELY.
RESIDENTS LIVING ALONG STREAMS AND CREEKS SHOULD TAKE IMMEDIATE
PRECAUTIONS TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY.

&&

LAT...LON 4262 7167 4260 7166 4253 7168 4252 7164
      4202 7172 4203 7212 4264 7204 4264 7186
      4263 7186 4264 7185 4263 7178 4264 7175

$$

FRANK

The office that day

Everything else NWS Boston/Norton, MA issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Oct 21, 4:14 AM EDTGale WarningBOX66 hr
Oct 21, 1:11 PM EDTCoastal Flood StatementBOXBarnstable, Essex, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk6 hr
Oct 21, 1:11 PM EDTCoastal Flood AdvisoryBOXNantucket6 hr
Oct 21, 5:31 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBOXMiddlesex, Norfolk, Worcester119 min
Oct 21, 6:22 PM EDTAreal Flood WarningBOXWorcester113 min
Oct 21, 7:17 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBOXMiddlesex, Norfolk, Worcester118 min
Oct 21, 7:37 PM EDTAreal Flood WarningBOXMiddlesex, Worcester113 min

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Massachusetts, 2016Every flash flood warning in 2016

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.