GREENFIELD, MA (FRANKLIN COUNTY NOW) — A series of severe thunderstorms swept through the area Tuesday evening, bringing down several trees and wires and blocking numerous roads.
The first thunderstorm hit the area between 6:30 and 7:00 p.m., followed by a more powerful cell shortly after 7:00.
Torrential downpours and gusty winds persisted in areas stretching from the west county, through Greater Greenfield, and along the border towns between Franklin and Hampshire Counties.
Trees and wires are reported down on a house on Northfield Road in Bernardston. A downed tree blocked the entire roadway on Greenfield Road, Routes 5&10 in Deerfield. A tree was reported down on River Road in Monroe. A tree and wires were down on vehicles on New Street in Millers Falls. One lane of Turnpike Road in Turners Falls was blocked. Both lanes of L Street in downtown Turners Falls were blocked. Route 63 is blocked in Northfield. Trees and wires are reported down on Pine Meadow Road in Northfield. Stillwater Road in Deerfield is closed due to trees down on wires.
Trees and lines are down on Haydenville Road in Whately. Parmeter Road in Bernardston is blocked. A downed tree is blocking Raingley Road in Greenfield. A tree has also brought down wires on Country Club Road in Greenfield.
Area police are reminding drivers not to drive over down power lines or through flooded roadways.
There are numerous reports across the county of flooded roadways.
UPDATE: The National Weather Service posted a Tornado Warning for southeastern Franklin County, including the towns of New Salem, Leverett, and Shutesbury as well as Pelham in Hampshire County.
Franklin County Now will continue to update this breaking story as more details become available.
UPDATE: As of 8:30 p.m., the Tornado Warning has been discontinued. A Severe Thunderstorm Warning remains in effect until 9:00 p.m.