Flood Watch Issued In MA Ahead Of Incoming Rain: Weather Service

WORCESTER, MA — The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for a large portion of Massachusetts including Worcester, eastern Norfolk and Bristol counties as a new round of thunderstorms heads toward the region Thursday.

The new storms will follow soaking rains that hit the state between Sunday and Monday, causing floods in low-lying areas, and pushing the Connecticut, Mill and Deerfield rivers in the Pioneer Valley to flood stage.

"Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas, which may impact the Friday morning commute," the weather service said Thursday afternoon.

The flood watch will be in effect from 11 p.m. Thursday until 6 a.m. Friday.

Apart from the flood watch, the Boston area plus Middlesex and Essex counties will be under a hazardous weather warning until Friday morning. The Connecticut River valley is under a flood warning — which means the risk of flooding is imminent — because the river has not receded fully following Monday's rain.

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