Flash Flooding and High Wind in Massachusetts, March 22, 1999

An intensifying low pressure system moving up the Hudson Valley brought strong southerly winds and locally heavy rainfall to Massachusetts. Many places reported wind gusts as high as 50 to 60 mph, and even a couple of hurricane-force gusts were reported in eastern Massachusetts. The peak gust recorded was an unofficial gust of 92 mph at 635 am, on the hurricane barrier at New Bedford, which is at an elevation of 95 feet above mean sea level. About half an hour later, a wind gust of 77 mph was recorded at the Blue Hill Observatory in Milton, which was the highest wind gust to occur at the observatory since November 1, 1997. Other strong wind gusts reported include 57 mph in Carver, 55 mph in Pocasset, 52 mph in Natick and Winthrop, 51 mph in Plymouth, and 50 mph in Acushnet.The most serious property damage occurred in New Bedford, where 27 windshields were smashed by flying gravel. There were no injuries. In nearby Dartmouth, a window was blown out of a store. Scattered power outages occurred as the strong winds blew down trees and tree limbs onto wires. About 2,100 customers lost power in Duxbury and Marshfield, and up to 2,900 customers lost power in Lowell. Other outages were reported on Cape Cod and the Islands. In Uxbridge, in Worcester County, a large tree fell through the roof of a home. In addition, the strong winds caused delays at Logan International Airport, which lasted up to 90 minutes during the morning.Minor flooding was reported along the Westfield River and its tributaries in the western part of the state, after 1 to 2 inches of rain combined with rapid snowmelt. The West Branch of the Westfield River at Huntington crested at 9.6 feet at 1045 am, which is about half a foot above its flood stage of 9 feet. A portion of Route 66 in Huntington was closed due to flooding. Minor flooding was reported in Westfield. In Franklin County, several roads and bridges were closed near small streams in Buckland, Ashfield, and Conway.