Leominster, Massachusetts, saw disastrous flash flooding on Monday night as a result of heavy rains that flooded roadways, caused sinkholes, and damaged buildings. A state of emergency was subsequently issued.
At 5:30 p.m. ET on Monday, Leominster Mayor Dean Mazzarella declared a state of emergency in the city and issued the following warning on social media: “Do not go outside. It’s not secure.
On Monday evening, slow-moving thunderstorms caused flash flooding in parts of New England and dumped 912 inches over Leominster, which is located northwest of Boston.
The mayor issued a stay-at-home warning in videos posted on Facebook taken while he was driving throughout the city.
Everywhere is flooded. The most basic advice I can give you. Every area of the city has it. It’s in cars, basements, and roofs, among other places. In a video, Mazzarella stated, “There’s no reason to go out; stay inside unless it’s an emergency.
According to him, rivers were in danger of rising above crest levels and police and fire were called in for assistance.
According to the National Weather Service, a flash flood emergency was issued for the region through 10:30 p.m. and was then extended to 8 a.m. Tuesday for Leominster, Fitchburg, and Lunenburg. Locals were advised to “move immediately to higher ground” and refrain from driving or walking through floodwaters in the warning.
Brutal photographs from the previous night show streets converted into rivers, partially collapsed buildings, and streets with huge sinkholes that have rendered some roads unusable.
The Barrett Park Pond dam has raised worries, prompting the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency to issue an evacuation advisory early on Tuesday.
Those in low-lying sections of the North Nashua River, Fall Brook, and Central Street were advised to “immediately evacuate and safely leave the area.”
Leominster’s Sky View Middle School has a shelter, according to officials.
The floods affected businesses and homes, and dozens, if not hundreds, of cars had to be towed out of floodwaters on Monday night, according to Mazzarella in a Tuesday morning update. She also noted that approximately 15 roads in the town were closed, 100 people were being housed at Frances Drake Elementary School, and that the floods had affected both homes and businesses.
Schools in Leominster are closed on Tuesday as crews evaluate the damage.
Gov. Maura Healey wrote on Twitter on Monday evening: “My heart goes out to residents & public safety officials in Leominster along with other communities facing catastrophic flooding tonight.”