WELLESLEY, Mass. — A wind-driven rainstorm is wreaking havoc on Massachusetts on Monday morning, toppling trees and damaging power lines in many communities.
Police departments across the state announced road closures due to storm-related issues as MEMA reported tens of thousands of power outages.
A high wind warning is in effect in much of the state, as well as wind advisories and flood watches. A ground stop was also issued at Logan Airport.
In West Roxbury, a tree came crashing down on a house off of VFW Parkway. There were no reports of any injuries.
In Wellesley, a driver was lucky he wasn’t hurt when a large tree and live wires came down on his car on Laurel Avenue.
This driver was very fortunate after a large tree and live wires came down on his vehicle on Laurel Ave. He was not injured and was rescued once the power was cut to the wires. pic.twitter.com/Dlql4GoH2l
— Wellesley Police (@WellesleyPolice) December 18, 2023
In Braintree, the whipping winds sent a set of traffic lights crashing to the ground in the city’s Five Corners area. Drivers were urged to avoid the area and expect delays.
🚧Traffic Alert🚧 Overhead lights at 5 corners are down. Please avoid area / expect traffic delays. pic.twitter.com/NVe0oxg8uU
— Braintree Police Department (@BraintreePolice) December 18, 2023
Wrentham Police Chief Bill McGrath said Route 1A was closed from the town of Norfolk to Wrentham Center due to “multiple power poles” down across the roadway.
“Will likely be closed all day,” McGrath said in a tweet.
Rt. 1A is now closed from the town of Norfolk (intersection of Rt. 115) to Wrentham Center. Multiple poles down across Rt. 1A. Will likely be closed all day. @wbznewsradio @wbz @WCVB @7News @NBC10Boston @boston25 @MassDOT @Wrentham_MA
— Chief Bill McGrath (@ChiefMcgrath) December 18, 2023
In Millis, multiple large branches snapped off of a tree and landed on a home in the town, the police department said.
“Please be advised that as this storm continues, the more difficult it will be to drive safely,” the department wrote in a tweet. “There are multiple road closures and detours to bypass flooded and unsafe roadways throughout town. Charge up your devices, locate your batteries, and stay off the roads if possible.”
Please be advised that as this storm continues on, the more difficult it will be to drive safely. There are multiple...
Posted by Millis Police Department on Monday, December 18, 2023
“Please be careful on the roadways this AM,” the Dedham Police Department wrote in a tweet. “Drive slow and stay away from any downed trees or wires. Be safe.”
Please be careful on the roadways this am. Trees and/or wires are down on Pine Street, Woodlawn St and Highland St at this time. Seek alternate routes, drive slow and stay away from any downed trees or wires. Be safe.
— Dedham Police Dept (@DedhamPD) December 18, 2023
MassDOT warned of delays on the southbound side of Interstate 95 in Foxboro, where a downed tree in the highway was snarling traffic near mile marker 13.8.
Tree down in roadway in #Foxborough on I-95-SB at MM 13.8. Left and center lane closed.
— Mass. Transportation (@MassDOT) December 18, 2023
Police in Westwood warned of closures between Grove and Westfield streets and urged drivers to seek alternate routes.
⚠️TRAFFIC ALERT⚠️
— Westwood Police (@WestwoodPD) December 18, 2023
Summer Street is closed between Grove Street and Westfield Street due to storm related issues. Please use an alternate route.
A tree fell on power lines and a passing vehicle in the area of Mendon Street in Upton, prompting closures near the Mendon town line.
“Thankfully there were no injuries. National Grid crews have been contacted and are responding,” the Upton Police Department wrote in a tweet.
🚧 MENDON STREET CLOSED 🚧
— Upton Police Dept (@UptonPolice) December 18, 2023
Mendon Street is closed between Chestnut Street and the Mendon Town Line for a downed tree and power lines.
The tree had fallen onto a passing vehicle. Thankfully there no were no injuries. National Grid crews have been contacted and are responding. pic.twitter.com/7t568D1OTk
Canton police reported that Washington Street at Turnpike Street along Route 138 was closed due to downed power poles and a transformer.
Utility crews are on the scene however no estimation of when the road will reopen. Please seek an alternate route,” the department wrote in a tweet.
***Traffic Alert***
— Canton Police (@CantonMAPolice) December 18, 2023
Washington street at Turnpike Street (rt 138) is closed with poles and transformer down. Utility crews are on scene however no estimation of when the road will reopen. Please seek alternate route.
There was a similar scene in Wayland, where downed trees and wires fell on a school bus in the area of Loker Road. Everyone onboard the bus got off safely.
Many downed trees and wires in town with blocked roads. Wires fell on school bus on Loker rd. All occupants removed safely. pic.twitter.com/jCQu2poPao
— Wayland Fire (@WaylandFire) December 18, 2023
In a tweet, Wellesley police wrote, “Lots of trees and wires coming down all over town. Some power outages were reported in the west end of town.
Lots of trees and wires coming down all over town. Some power outages reported in the west end of town. pic.twitter.com/uJYc1ZWGsL
— Wellesley Police (@WellesleyPolice) December 18, 2023
A tree was blown over in Wellesley on Windermere Lane and it sliced through the roof of a home. There were no reported injuries.
Police and Fire on scene on Windemere Ln. for a tree through the house. Resident is out of the home - no injuries. pic.twitter.com/SEPanQ7A9f
— Wellesley Police (@WellesleyPolice) December 18, 2023
The Saugus Fire Department said it was “dealing with an overwhelming amount of calls.”
In a social post, firefighters wrote, “There’s a Power Outage in the area of upper Essex St past the Mall which is triggering fire alarms & CO alarms, Motor vehicle accidents including a dump truck rollover & Hazmat on Water St. And Wires, trees and telephone poles down in the roads and on houses all over town on top of several medical emergencies happening as well.”
Please bear with us as we're dealing with an overwhelming amount of calls this morning. There's a Power Outage in the...
Posted by Saugus Firefighters Local 1003 on Monday, December 18, 2023
Additional wind damage reports, according to the NWS:
715 AM: Haverhill, MA: Merrill Street tree down with primaries blocking the road. School bus can not get through. Numerous other trees down in town. 3,200+ customers without power.
713 AM: Hatfield, MA: Tree down on Wires blocking Route 5
711 AM: Boston, MA: 163 F Street - Tree down on house, Perkins Street - Tree down, American Legion Highway - Tree and Wires down, Lambert avenue - Tree down
703 AM: Plainfield, CT: Trees and Wires down on Cemetery Lane and Cady Lane
655 AM: Westport, MA: County Street - Tree down
655 AM: Dartmouth, MA: Allen Street at Sable Avenue - Wires down
653 AM: Carver, MA: Tree and Wires down on 38 Holmes street
652 AM: Hingham, MA: Lincoln Street - Utility Pole Down
649 AM: Bridgewater, MA: Large Limb Down on wires - no Street given
648 AM: Canton, MA: Tree down blocking Route 138 - road closed 639 AM: Hingham, MA: Spring Street - Tree down
632 AM: Spencer, MA: Large Limb down on 121 Mechanic Street
629 AM: Boston, MA: Tree down on West Roxbury Parkway
627 AM: Fairhaven, MA: Large Tree down on New Boston Road near Route 6
627 AM: Westport, MA: Adamsville Road by Cornell Road - Tree down, several other trees and wires down in town including a tree down on High tension wires
624 AM: New Bedford, MA: Large Tree down - no Street given
620 AM: Rochester, MA: Tree down blocking the area of 100 Marion Road
614 AM: Mendon, MA: Numerous Tree limbs and Power lines down with power outages in town
604 AM: Marlborough, CT: Tree down on Wires blocking Route 66
533 AM: New Bedford, MA: Tree down on 2 cars with a light pole down in the area of 53 to 56 Emerson Street
531 AM: Rochester, MA: Utility Pole down in roadway with Power lines down blocking a driveway on 631 County Road, Transformer fire and wires down on 85 High Street
Boston 25 is monitoring the region for additional damage reports and will add them to this story as they come in.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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