Damaging Wind in Massachusetts, August 27, 1996

Thunderstorms brought heavy rain, large hail, and wind damage to portions of Hampden and Hampshire Counties. Rainfall of at least four inches was recorded in Williamsburg and a 3-hour amount of 4.5 inches was recorded in the Leeds section of Northampton. Small stream flooding and extensive street flooding was reported in Northampton. Dime to nickel size hail and wind damage was observed in Williamsburg and Northampton. Trees were knocked down in both Northampton and South Hadley. A person was reported injured by lightning in Williamsburg. In South Hadley, lightning struck a tree which fell on two parked automobiles and both were a total loss. In Holyoke, the force of strong thunderstorm winds peeled back part of the roof of a four-story apartment building and downed several large trees. In Chicopee and Holyoke, urban street flooding resulted in a road cave-in and some manhole cave-ins. Sewer lines backed up, causing an estimated $50,000 to $100,000 damage to a local high school. A roof collapsed over gas pumps at a gas station in Chicopee.