Perilous Times and Climate Change
Heavy rains cause flash floods in greater Boston area
By the CNN Wire Staff
July 10, 2010 7:41 p.m. EDT
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
* Storms cause flash flooding in eastern Massachusetts
* Several cars stuck in water in Somerville area
* Floodwaters cause delays for mass transit system
(CNN) -- Heavy rains caused flash flooding across the Boston metro area
Saturday, stranding cars and causing damage, the National Weather
Service reported.
No injuries were immediately reported.
Flash flood warnings were issued for four counties in eastern
Massachusetts, and 2 to 4 inches of rain fell in the region, according
to the weather service.
There were several reports of cars getting stuck in floodwaters,
particularly in the Somerville area, northwest of Boston, where the
weather service said at least five vehicles were stranded underneath
the Assembly Square Underpass.
Video from CNN affiliates WHDH and WCVB showed the vehicles fully
submerged beneath the underpass. Drivers had to be rescued from their
cars when the tunnel filled with up to 18 feet of water, according to
an off-duty police officer involved with the rescue efforts. The
officer told WCVB that the water was heavily mixed with sewage.
The flooding also forced the closures of at least two bridges.
Witnesses told WHDH that cars were also submerged around the bridges
and residents waded through water up to their knees. Some locals said
they helped direct traffic since lights were knocked out by the storms.
The bad weather also disrupted travel for the Boston area transit
system.
Joe Pesaturo, a spokesman for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation
Authority, told CNN affiliate WCVB that there were weather-related
delays during the afternoon, including the suspension of rail service
in one area due to water on the tracks.