This section needs expansion with: please expand to September 8. You can help by adding to it. (January 2024)
On September 11, a stationary frontal boundary, combined with a low-pressure area in eastern New Jersey and a convergence zone extending across Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts, brought slow-moving showers and thunderstorms to the Northeastern United States, bringing heavy rainfall across portions of the region.[4] Favorable thermodynamics also supported thunderstorm development, and surface-based convective available potential energy in the 1000-1500 J/kg values were also in place across a small portion of the region.[5] Matthew Belk, a National Weather Service meteorologist, stated that the flood was a "200-year event".[6]
Impact
Severe storms on September 8 alone led to 190,000 power outages.[7]
Massachusetts
A Day 1 excessive rain outlook issued at 12:00 PM EDT, highlighting a slight risk across the Northeastern United States
On September 10, the Sagamore Bridge was closed due to flash flooding.[8]
On September 11, streets and numerous homes were flooded in the city of Leominster, and the downtown area there was also flooded, where buildings were flooded and a few partially collapsed.[9][10] A sinkhole also opened near a Cadillac car dealership, damaging vehicles there.[11] Massachusetts governor Maura Healey described the flooding "catastrophic", and a flash flood emergency was issued for Leominster and Fitchburg.[12][13] Residential areas in neighborhoods near Leominster were asked to immediately evacuated as concerns were raised over the Barrett Park Pond Dam, which was compromised and was already in poor condition.[14][15] Homes near Route 117 near Fall Brook, a neighborhood of Leominster, were "significantly damaged".[14] School buildings near Leominster also suffered damage, and more than 15 roads, including portions of the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90), Route 13 and Route 2, were closed due to flooding and road damage.[1][16][17][18] At least 9.5 inches (240 mm) of rain fell in several hours in Leominster, and an evacuation order was also issued for low-lying areas near Fall Brook and the North Nashua River.[16][19] Several minor injuries also occurred, as many vehicles were submerged in floodwaters.[16][20]MBTA Commuter Rail service was also affected, with trains and buses being terminated, diverted, or originating at a different station, including trains along the Fitchburg Line.[21] Leominster mayor Dean Mazzarella stated, "Find a high spot somewhere. Find a high spot and stay there until this is over.", and also claimed that at least 11 inches (280 mm) of rain fell.[10][3] More than $40 million in damages occurred to city infrastructure.[22]
Flood damage also occurred in North Attleborough, where 200 homes were flooded, including basements,[23] and vehicles were submerged.[24][25] Several roads were closed,[26] and the emergency operations center was activated there.[24] Two Boston Red Sox games were postponed due to the rainfall.[27] Nearly 2,400 power outages occurred across the state.[21] A tornado warning was also issued for Bristol, Norfolk, and Plymouth counties after the storm which prompted the warning in Rhode Island moved into southern portions of the state.[28]
Connecticut
On September 13, streets were flooded in West Hartford, submerging a car,[29] as a flash flood warning was issued for Hartford.[2][30] Roads were also flooded in Farmington, prompting law enforcement to place signs and barricades across the flooded area.[31] At least eight people were rescued in Danbury as cars were submerged in floodwaters.[32]Route 317 was closed near Roxbury, and a Holiday Inn hotel was damaged by floods.[32] Flash flood warnings were issued for several counties in the state, and a severe thunderstorm warning was issued for the Hartford area as streets and buildings were flooded there.[33][34] Flooding also occurred in Bristol, where flooded roads submerged at least three cars.[35] One of the storms which produced heavy rainfall spawned an EF1 tornado near Danielson, and Killingly, downing trees and causing minor damage to two homes, and a tornado warning was also issued for that area.[36] Damage across Connecticut totaled $13,300.[37]
Rhode Island
An apartment complex consisting of 24 apartments were affected by floods on September 11 in Cranston, where two dogs died and two cats went missing.[38] Flooding impacted a shopping plaza, damaging businesses and prompting 25 people to be rescued from floodwaters.[39] The West River overflowed, forcing a road to close after the roadway was under 4 feet (1.2 m) of water.[40] Flooding also occurred in Cumberland, and North Providence.[40] Floods caused delays on the Providence/Stoughton Line.[3] The tornado which impacted areas near Danielson and Killingly, Connecticut crossed the border into Rhode Island, where trees and power lines were down in Foster.[41] Damage in Rhode Island totaled to $15,800.[42]
Maryland
On September 12, a flash flood emergency was issued for the entire Baltimore area as 3–5 in (76–127 mm) of rain fell.[2] Several roads and highways, including portions of the Capital Beltway (I-495) and US 29 were closed due to floodwaters on the roadway, and flooding also stranded drivers on several roads in the city.[2][43] More than 1,500 power outages occurred across the state.[44] Flash flood warnings and a tornado warning was issued for parts of the state as the storms moved through.[45] Damage in Maryland totaled to $548,000.[46]
All schools in Leominster were closed on September 12, the day after the floods, due to flood damage that occurred in the school buildings.[9][10] Boat rescue and emergency response teams were dispatched to areas in northern Massachusetts following the floods.[3] Looting also occurred in flooded businesses in Providence, Rhode Island.[56] Massachusetts governor Maura Healey declared a state of emergency for Leominster and North Attleborough as she toured the flood damage in those locations.[57][3] The American Red Cross assisted flood victims in Cumberland and North Providence, Rhode Island, and two schools opened as shelters to flood victims in Leominster.[15][57]
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