Massachusetts

Powerful Storm Prompts Tornado Warnings, Causes Major Damage

What to Know

  • Tornado warnings were issued on 3 separate occasions Monday afternoon for parts of Massachusetts and New Hampshire
  • More than 65,500 people were without power across New England as of 9:30 p.m. Monday
  • Trees and wires have been reported down in many areas across Massachusetts

A powerful storm caused major damage and knocked out power to thousands as it moved through New England.

Tornado warnings were issued on three separate occasions on Monday afternoon for parts of Massachusetts and New Hampshire but have since expired.

Severe thunderstorm watches and warnings remained in effect for parts of New England until 10 p.m. Monday night.

Hundreds of lightning strikes have been reported across the region.

Trees and wires have been reported down in many areas across Massachusetts, from the western part of the state to the North Shore. Viewers have sent in numerous photos of damage caused by the storm.

Severe Weather Damage Across New England

A tree came crashing down in Haverhill while a couple was in front of their home, creating a scary moment for the elderly couple. While they are okay, their home is not.

The tree caused extensive damage, crashing through the ceiling, down to the kitchen floor.

George Brown, a friend of the couple's, shot cell phone video from the couple's roof, showing the large tree inside the house. Brown says the couple has been there 80 years and they don't want to leave their home.

The couple was too upset to go on camera. 

Haverhill firefighters inspected the damage, walking around with flashlights Monday night.

Red Cross was on scene to assist the couple. They planned to stay with neighbors Monday night while they figure out what to do next.

There were also a number of trees and wires down in Westford, where Old Lowell Road was blocked to traffic late Monday night. Crews said they will be working around the clock to clear the roadway.

Tree branches covered the street on Roberts Road, where a tree limb could be seen lying on power lines. Police blocked the area and many other roads throughout Westford that were similarly damaged.

A falling tree nearly split a home on South Chelmsford in half. Crews say fortunately no one was hurt.

Goffstown, New Hampshire saw a good amount of damage, as well. Police were forced to shut down Saint Anselm Street after a power pole began leaning and got too close to a home. 

In Methuen, heavy rain and strong winds knocked down a tree, leaving a messy tangle of branches, leaves and power lines. Police say the tree came crashing down onto a car while a woman was inside. Luckily, the woman was able to get herself out and wasn't badly hurt.

Methuen resident Art Crossman didn't have any damage to his house but he did lose power. A number of residents in Westford also lost power.

More than 100,000 people had reported power outages in New Hampshire and Massachusetts by 7 p.m. Monday.

As of 9:30 p.m., more than 65,500 remained without power.

More than 48,400 Unitil, Eversource and New Hampshire Electric Cooperative customers are in the dark in New Hampshire. And in Massachusetts, more than 17,100 people are without power. 

Temperatures soared into the 90s Monday but fell short of records, including the standing record of 94 degrees in Boston. But when coupled with increasing humidity, the heat index, or “feels like,” values neared the century mark.

An approaching cold front sparked storms in northern New England and set off scattered thunderstorms in central and southern New England as well.

The instigating cold front marks the leading edge to much less humid air that will be sluggish to move into New England overnight or early Tuesday morning but will come pouring in during Tuesday morning and midday.

Temperatures will come down a notch, from 90s to 80s, Monday to Tuesday then likely hit the 80s again Wednesday before another shot of slightly cooler air arrives Thursday behind some Wednesday night and Thursday morning showers.

Right now, the upcoming weekend looks to start well, then brings a building chance of showers later Sunday into the start of next week in our exclusive Early Warning Weather 10-day forecast.

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