Flash Flood and Flood in Massachusetts, September 16 to 17, 1999

Name: Flash Flood and Flood in Massachusetts, September 16 to 17, 1999
Start: 1999-09-16T14:00
End: 1999-09-17T03:00
Location: Massachusetts

September 16 to 17, 1999 · NWS BOX · 35 events in 31 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 35 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 35

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS BOX wrote it up.

Tropical Storm Floyd brought high winds and torrential rainfall to Massachusetts as it tracked from northern Connecticut into central and northeast Massachusetts during the late evening and early morning hours of the 16th and 17th. Although many areas received strong winds, the strongest winds were confined to the higher elevations of western Massachusetts, as well as Cape Cod and the islands. Gusts of 60 to 70 mph were common along the south coast, but the New Bedford Hurricane Barrier reported a gust to 76 mph. There were many reports of downed trees and power lines in these two areas. Damage was not as widespread throughout central and eastern Massachusetts, where winds generally gusted to 40 to 50 mph. Floyd also brought torrential rainfall to the Bay State. The heaviest rain fell over the Connecticut River Valley, to the left of the track of the center, where totals of 6 to 10 inches were common. Southwick reported 9.16 inches of rain, Whately had 7.70 inches,and Millers Falls had 6.20 inches. The heavy rain caused the Westfield River at Westfield to rise out of its banks for a brief period. It crested at 13.1 feet at 12:30 am on the 17th, which was just over its 13 foot flood stage. Many small streams rose out of their banks in western Massachusetts and flooded nearby low lying areas. No flood damage was reported.

The radar

The Boston radar (KBOX), 78 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:02 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

12 strong wind, 11 heavy rain, 10 high wind, 1 flash flood, 1 flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Heavy Rain, Barnstable

When: September 16, 2:00 PM EST to September 17, 3:00 AM EST
Where: Barnstable County, Countywide
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 41.684, -70.274 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Rain, Bristol

When: September 16, 2:00 PM EST to September 17, 3:00 AM EST
Where: Bristol County, Countywide
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 41.757, -71.088 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Rain, Essex

When: September 16, 2:00 PM EST to September 17, 3:00 AM EST
Where: Essex County, Countywide
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 42.639, -70.868 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Rain, Franklin

When: September 16, 2:00 PM EST to September 17, 3:00 AM EST
Where: Franklin County, Countywide
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 42.583, -72.592 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Rain, Hampden

When: September 16, 2:00 PM EST to September 17, 3:00 AM EST
Where: Hampden County, Countywide
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 42.135, -72.632 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Rain, Hampshire

When: September 16, 2:00 PM EST to September 17, 3:00 AM EST
Where: Hampshire County, Countywide
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 42.340, -72.664 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Rain, Middlesex

When: September 16, 2:00 PM EST to September 17, 3:00 AM EST
Where: Middlesex County, Countywide
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 42.486, -71.392 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Rain, Norfolk

When: September 16, 2:00 PM EST to September 17, 3:00 AM EST
Where: Norfolk County, Countywide
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 42.171, -71.184 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Rain, Plymouth

When: September 16, 2:00 PM EST to September 17, 3:00 AM EST
Where: Plymouth County, Countywide
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 41.987, -70.737 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Rain, Suffolk

When: September 16, 2:00 PM EST to September 17, 3:00 AM EST
Where: Suffolk County, Countywide
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 42.356, -71.066 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Rain, Worcester

When: September 16, 2:00 PM EST to September 17, 3:00 AM EST
Where: Worcester County, Countywide
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 42.351, -71.908 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Western Middlesex

When: September 16, 4:00 PM EST to 6:00 PM EST
Where: Western Middlesex forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 42.486, -71.392 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Dukes

When: September 16, 5:29 PM EST to September 17, 3:00 AM EST
Where: Dukes forecast zone
Measured: 54 kt (62 mph)
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 41.389, -70.699 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Southern Bristol

When: September 16, 5:40 PM EST to September 17, 3:00 AM EST
Where: Southern Bristol forecast zone
Measured: 54 kt (62 mph)
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 41.757, -71.088 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Barnstable

When: September 16, 5:40 PM EST to September 17, 3:00 AM EST
Where: Barnstable forecast zone
Measured: 63 kt (72 mph)
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 41.684, -70.274 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Eastern Hampden

When: September 16, 5:46 PM EST to 10:00 PM EST
Where: Eastern Hampden forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 42.135, -72.632 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Eastern Hampshire

When: September 16, 5:46 PM EST to 10:00 PM EST
Where: Eastern Hampshire forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 42.340, -72.664 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong Wind, Suffolk

When: September 16, 6:00 PM EST to September 17, 1:00 AM EST
Where: Suffolk forecast zone
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 42.264, -71.125 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong Wind, Eastern Essex

When: September 16, 6:00 PM EST to September 17, 1:00 AM EST
Where: Eastern Essex forecast zone
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 42.639, -70.868 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong Wind, Eastern Norfolk

When: September 16, 6:00 PM EST to September 17, 1:00 AM EST
Where: Eastern Norfolk forecast zone
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 42.171, -71.184 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong Wind, Northern Bristol

When: September 16, 6:00 PM EST to September 17, 1:00 AM EST
Where: Northern Bristol forecast zone
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 41.757, -71.088 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong Wind, Southeast Middlesex

When: September 16, 6:00 PM EST to September 17, 1:00 AM EST
Where: Southeast Middlesex forecast zone
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 42.486, -71.392 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong Wind, Southern Plymouth

When: September 16, 6:00 PM EST to September 17, 1:00 AM EST
Where: Southern Plymouth forecast zone
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 41.987, -70.737 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong Wind, Southern Worcester

When: September 16, 6:00 PM EST to September 17, 1:00 AM EST
Where: Southern Worcester forecast zone
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 42.351, -71.908 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong Wind, Western Essex

When: September 16, 6:00 PM EST to September 17, 1:00 AM EST
Where: Western Essex forecast zone
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 42.639, -70.868 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong Wind, Western Franklin

When: September 16, 6:00 PM EST to September 17, 1:00 AM EST
Where: Western Franklin forecast zone
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 42.583, -72.592 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong Wind, Western Hampshire

When: September 16, 6:00 PM EST to September 17, 1:00 AM EST
Where: Western Hampshire forecast zone
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 42.340, -72.664 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong Wind, Western Norfolk

When: September 16, 6:00 PM EST to September 17, 1:00 AM EST
Where: Western Norfolk forecast zone
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 42.171, -71.184 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong Wind, Western Plymouth

When: September 16, 6:00 PM EST to September 17, 1:00 AM EST
Where: Western Plymouth forecast zone
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 41.987, -70.737 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Northern Worcester

When: September 16, 6:57 PM EST to 10:00 PM EST
Where: Northern Worcester forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 42.351, -71.908 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Eastern Franklin

When: September 16, 7:15 PM EST to 10:00 PM EST
Where: Eastern Franklin forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 42.583, -72.592 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Western Hampden

When: September 16, 7:15 PM EST to 10:00 PM EST
Where: Western Hampden forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 42.135, -72.632 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flash Flood, Middlesex

When: September 16, 8:45 PM EST to 9:00 PM EST
Where: Middlesex County, Winchester
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates: 42.486, -71.392 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Aberjona River

High Wind, Eastern Plymouth

When: September 16, 8:55 PM EST to September 17, 3:00 AM EST
Where: Eastern Plymouth forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 42.079, -70.960 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Eastern Hampden

When: September 16, 11:00 PM EST to September 17, 12:00 AM EST
Where: Eastern Hampden forecast zone
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates: 42.135, -72.632 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Westfield River

What these are

Heavy Rain: Rainfall totals unusual for the place and season that did not produce a flood.
High Wind: Sustained non-thunderstorm winds of 40 mph or more for an hour, or gusts of 58 mph or more.
Strong Wind: Non-thunderstorm winds below high wind criteria that nonetheless caused damage or casualties.
Flash Flood: Flooding that begins within six hours of the rain that causes it, or of a dam or levee failure or ice jam release, often with deadly speed.
Flood: Flooding that develops more slowly than a flash flood: rivers leaving their banks, or water standing over land for an extended time.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Massachusetts in 1999 Every state in 1999 This day in weather history Warnings in Massachusetts, September 1999

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5722292, 5722293, 5722294, 5722295, 5722296, 5722297, 5722298, 5722299, 5722300, 5722301, 5722302, 5722312, 5722303, 5722304, 5722311, 5722305, 5722306, 5722313, 5722314, 5722315, 5722316, 5722317, 5722318, 5722319, 5722320, 5722321, 5722322, 5722323, 5722324, 5722307, 5722308, 5722309, 5722185, 5722310, 5722184.