Significant damage in Massachusetts from a rare May nor'easter.
A rare May nor’easter has wreaked havoc across Massachusetts, causing severe tree damage, record low temperatures, and significant flooding. In Brookline, an 80-foot oak fell, disrupting roads but fortunately causing no injuries. The storm brought heavy rainfall, with Kingston recording 7.13 inches in a day, leading to widespread flooding and flight delays. Coastal flood advisories were issued as gusty winds reached up to 65 mph. This unexpected weather event serves as a reminder of spring’s unpredictability in New England.
Brookline, Massachusetts – Several communities throughout Massachusetts are dealing with the aftermath of a rare May nor’easter that has caused significant tree damage, record low temperatures, and flooding. The storm brought high winds, heavy rainfall, and even snowfall in higher elevations, creating hazardous conditions and altering the spring weather pattern expected in the region.
In Brookline, an 80-foot oak tree fell onto Chilton Street, uprooting the sidewalk and causing temporary road closures. Emergency services quickly responded to the scene, allowing crews to begin their work of removing the fallen tree with chainsaws and woodchippers. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported as residents of the affected area were not home at the time of the incident. Neighboring areas, such as Savin Hill Avenue in Dorchester and Alden Road in Wellesley, also reported multiple instances of trees toppling due to the strong winds and saturated soil conditions.
Pete Jutras of the Brookline Department of Public Works indicated that the damage was largely a result of the significant rainfall leading to wet soil that could not support the trees. Despite the winds and falling trees, there were no reports of power outages in the neighborhoods affected.
The nor’easter produced varying rainfall across Southeastern Massachusetts, with Kingston recording the highest total at 7.13 inches within a single 24-hour period. Many areas experienced rainfall totals between 2 to 7 inches, leading to significant flooding in places like Falmouth and Woods Hole, where vehicles became stuck in floodwaters. Flood warnings were issued for various regions, including the Pawtuxet River at Cranston, Rhode Island, prompting precautionary measures among residents.
Unusually cold temperatures accompanied the storm, with Boston experiencing a high of only 48 degrees on May 22, tying the record for the lowest high temperature for that date since 1909. Concord, New Hampshire, recorded a temperature of 47 degrees, breaking the previous low of 51 degrees set in 1939. Portland, Maine, reached just 49 degrees, surpassing the previous record of 50 degrees established in 2011. Wind gusts during the storm increased to between 60 and 65 miles per hour in Plymouth and Nantucket, contributing to the continued hazards across the region.
Coastal flood advisories were put into effect for various areas due to the expectation of splash-over along shoreline roads, and wind alerts remained issued for much of the New England coast through Friday morning. The storm conditions were severe enough to prompt flight delays across airports in the region, with at least 22% of flights departing from Boston Logan International being delayed. Additionally, ferry services between Hyannis and Nantucket and Woods Hole and Martha’s Vineyard were temporarily suspended due to the rough weather.
Some higher elevations even saw snow accumulation from the storm, with Mount Washington reporting 4.1 inches. While the damages and inconveniences of the storm were significant, the rapid response from emergency services and tree removal crews helped mitigate risks to public safety.
This May nor’easter serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of spring weather in New England, often bringing surprising weather events that can lead to significant disruptions and challenges for local communities.
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