By JULIE CUNNINGHAM
(Franklin County, MA) Towns and cities in Franklin County and throughout western Mass. suffered extensive damage and lost power as a line of thunderstorms and strong winds ripped through the area Wednesday afternoon. Shelburne Control issued an “all call” where all fire fighters are to report to their stations.
There have been multiple reports of road closures including Interstate 91 northbound in the Deerfield/Greenfield areas with northbound traffic being re-routed across the median to merge with southbound traffic.
91 Southbound completely shut down after the high winds, rain, and hail move into the area on Wednesday.
Traffic at a standstill on I-91 south in Greenfield following strong storms that blew the area Wednesday afternoon.
In Leyden, 99% of the town is without power according to Eversource. In Cheshire 98% are without power and in the Hampshire County city of Northampton 100% are without power. Power outages are still being reported. As of the time of this article, 78% of Bernardston is without power as well as 77% of Conway. For the latest reported power outages and information from Eversource, click here.
Storm Update 7pm: Traffic lights are out on Deerfield Street in Greenfield and in the center of town. Multiple agencies are reporting downed trees and power lines.
Traffic and street lights out in downtown Greenfield after Wednesday afternoon’s strong winds knocked out power in communities throughout western Mass.
Update 7:30pm: Extensive damage to the Franklin County Fairgrounds has been reported. A link to the Go Fund Me page for the fairgrounds can be found here.
Update 8pm: 2,500 Xfinity Cable subscribers are without cable access after the storm.
Photo courtesy of Franklin County Agricultural Society.
Photo courtesy of Franklin County Agricultural Society.
Photo courtesy of Mike Mastrototaro.
Photo of River Road in Greenfield.