Flood Warning For Charles River In Natick, Nearby Towns

NATICK, MA — Recent heavy rains have pushed the Charles River past flood stage in an area between Medfield and Needham, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a flood warning Tuesday morning.

The Charles was at about 5.5 feet as of Tuesday morning, and flood stage is 5 feet. The water was not expected to recede until Wednesday. The weather service predicts the river will be down to about 4.6 feet by Thursday.

"Motorists should not attempt to drive around barricades or drive cars through flooded areas," the weather service warned. "Turn around, don`t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles."

At 6 feet, the river would begin to flood neighborhoods near the river, including in South Natick east to the Wellesley line along River Street, Route 109 in Millis and Medfield and Fisher Street in Needham, according to the weather service.

Rain has fallen almost every day in July, but Tropical Storm Elsa on Friday brought especially heavy rain. Natick received close to 3 inches, but some nearby towns received close to 4 inches. The Charles River watershed drains a 308-mile area, include communities as far away as Foxborough, Mendon, Wayland and Lincoln.