Flood in Massachusetts, April 17 to 18, 1996

A strong low pressure system moving through southern New England brought two to three and one-half inches of rainfall on April 16th to central and western Massachusetts. Amherst received 3.27 inches and Worcester reported 3.23 inches. The ground had remained saturated from melting of a record-breaking snowfall during the previous week and there was considerable runoff from this heavy rainfall. In Auburn, a 70-foot section of Route 12 collapsed and the resulting hole was up to 6 feet deep. The crater in the roadway was near the Massachusetts Turnpike. The rising Middle River prompted Worcester officials to open a diversion channel located in Auburn for the first time in three years. Minor flooding was reported along the Ware River in Barre. There were a number of road closures in cities and towns in Worcester County, including Bolton, Fitchburg, Leominster, Lunenburg, and Westminster. Many basements were reported flooded. The Connecticut River crested at Montague City at 30.78 feet at 2:30 PM on the 17th; flood stage is 28 feet. The Blackstone River crested at Northbridge at 9.29 feet at 12:43 AM on the 18th; flood stage is 9 feet. The Merrimack River crested at Lowell at 52.98 feet at 12:45 AM on the 18th; flood stage is 52 feet. The Nashua River crested at East Pepperell at 10.29 feet at 9:45 AM on the 18th; flood stage is 8 feet.