Hail and Damaging Winds in Massachusetts, July 20, 1998

Tree damage caused by severe thunderstorm winds resulted in power outages in the Norfolk County towns of Medway, Franklin, and Bellingham. In addition, many lightning strikes were reported, contributing to the power outages. As many as six buildings, including one house, were struck by lightning in Milford in extreme southeast Worcester County. In Norfolk County, lightning strikes resulted in some damage. In the town of Norfolk, a lightning strike caused an electrical surge which ignited a fire that caused an estimated $100,000 damage to a house. Lightning struck a public building in Wrentham, resulting in an estimated $20,000 damage to equipment. A chapel was struck in Plainville and the resulting fire caused an estimated $10,000 to $15,000 damage. No injuries were reported from any of the lightning strikes, but up to 4,000 area electric customers lost service. Lightning also struck the Upton Town Hall and the Millville Fire Station, both towns in extreme southeast Worcester County. No serious damage was reported. In Plymouth County, 40 to 50 large tree branches were blown down in Marshfield. Also in Marshfield, lightning knocked out communications at the local fire department. In neighboring Pembroke, many trees were knocked down in the northern part of town and one tree crushed a parked automobile. Also, in Pembroke, a lightning strike set a garage afire and destroyed the car parked inside. Dime to quarter size hail was reported in West Bridgewater. At about 1:45 PM, thunderstorm winds overturned a small plane at Provincetown Airport on the outer tip of Cape Cod.