Flooding reported across Massachusetts as remnants of Ida move through

WORCESTER, Mass. — Massachusetts is bracing for another bout of significant rainfall as remnants of Ida approach the state. A Flash Flood Watch was issued by the National Weather Service for the entire state through 2 p.m. Thursday.

Late Wednesday night, the National Weather Service issued a Tornado Warning for parts of southern Massachusetts.

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Additionally, a Tornado Watch has been issued for Barnstable, Bristol, Dukes, Nantucket and Plymouth County through 7 a.m.

Worcester has been ravaged by rain over the past two weeks. What’s left of Ida is the third storm to hit since August 19. As much as 7 inches of rainfall could come as a result of the forthcoming storm, according to the NWS.

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As the state prepares for rain to arrive, a local team of rescue workers is already in Louisiana helping those displaced, injured, or otherwise in need of rescue.

Massachusetts Task Force 1, a Beverely based group was deployed to Louisiana last weekend, and has already begun missions, a spokesman said.

All of MA under Flash Flood Watch

In a news release, MA Task Force 1 said the following:

“The task force was held short of its area of operation due to a lack of infrastructure and spent the night in Birmingham Alabama. The team leadership made it to Baton Rouge last night and were able to conduct briefings with the Incident Support Team this morning and received their work assignment and area of operation. The Team is currently assisting the residents of Louisiana.”

MA residents bracing for flooding as remnants of Ida roll through region

Newton

People in Newton say they are still dealing with the aftermath of flooding that came from the tropical depression Henri, and now they are preparing to deal with flooding from the remnants of Ida. Low-lying areas like Albemarle Road had flash flooding two weeks ago when rain fell so fast it had nowhere to go, making the road impassable.

The city put out a warning Wednesday night about the heavy, perhaps even torrential, rain that will continue coming down overnight. Several inches of rain and high wind gusts not only mean potential flooding but trees and limbs coming down and/or power outages.

The city has prepped and staffed its pump stations, prepared barricades, sandbags, and added more staff through the night include police and fire. Residents we spoke with are also preparing with pumps.

“You have to have a pump in your basement if you’re on these couple of streets,” said Jacqui Perna of Newton. “Charles River’s right behind our house. You have to plan for these types of things because it will happen a couple of times every couple of years.”

The mayor said crews have already begun clearing catch basins in low-lying areas and asked that you consider clearing any catch basins near your home as well. She plans to meet with her team at 5 a.m. Thursday to see if any closures or cleanup is necessary.

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Worcester

Some Worcester residents are on alert as the remnants of Ida pass through Massachusetts.

“We’re kind of in panic mode, absolutely,” said Tom Cahill. He lives at the intersection of Marwood Road and Dorset Street, an area prone to minor flooding that’s experienced some major flooding this summer.

Cahill said he’s certain his basement will flood again Wednesday night with several inches of rain predicted.

“This electrical component was completely buried,” said Cahill referencing how high the water got on the furnace in his basement. And that’s not the only major appliance that was underwater.

“We’re worried about the hot water heater, the boiler, the washer and dryer we lost. It’s just a nonstop battle,” Cahill said.

A very wet summer and left over tropical storms are to blame he said. And his neighbors told Boston 25 they are also constantly underwater.

“We’ve lost a washer, a dryer, a heater, a water heater,” said Bonnie Boisvert, who lives next door.

Other neighbors were in tears worried about what the expected deluge will bring.

“I’m very horrified because I go...I’m sorry,” said Bayda Asbridge. She broke down in tears telling us what she’s been through.

“But I go from sewage in my basement, to mold in my basement, to bleach in my basement and back to sewage in my basement,” said Asbridge, who said she had five feet of water in her basement last week.

Now Asbridge and other residents who live here are fed up. They say city leaders need to act.

“I’m sick of pumping water, I’m sick of people that don’t listen. They’ve known about this issue for years and nothing’s been accomplished,” said Boisvert, who has lived here for 17 years.

The Department of Public Works attributes the issue to the neighborhood being in a low-lying area. But neighbors said until some fix is found, they all expect another night of flooded basements.

“And we have sump pumps. We have two to three running all the time,” said Boisvert.

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