Tornados in western Massachusetts w/warning/watches all over

[Guinevere]

At least two significant tornados have hit Springfield Mass, and Sturbridge Mass, with more on the way -- and they are headed east towards Boston -- where I am. Also headed Northeast towards NH -- near Andy -- and into Maine. Also in NH Connecticut, headed east towards RI and extreme SE Mass -- where Jarl is.

This is rare for New England, and very scary. I'm glued to the tv, which is giving us street by street information about when and where to take cover. At least three more hours of watch/warning before its done. I admit, I'm a bit freaked out --- we've had so much severe weather here this year, it is wearing.

The Governor just declared a State of Emergency for the entire state. We're used to that for blizzards, but not summer weather.

[Gob]

You keep safe girl!

Please pop in when available to let us know how you are doing!

I'll drop Andy a line to see if all is ok when I get home.

[kristina]

Have you got a cellar, Guin? Good luck!

[@meric@nwom@n]

I saw that on the news tonight. I know it's not something you out there are used to but heck I don't even get up out of bed any more when the sirens go off.

Hope all goes well.

[Guinevere]

Thanks y'all -- even growing up in MD we didn't have to deal with this kind of weather, although we used to have some major thunderstorms -- but never rotation.

Kristina, no cellar, my house is on pilings, with tons of glass (as befits a place on the beach). I've got a friend's keys, and a basement to head to if necessary. Collected wallet, flashlight, and emergency radio. I even put the cat in her crate, just in case, because I'd be a mess if I had to leave her behind. OY. I'm hopeful none of this is necessary -- this is weird weird stuff.

[Gob]

Gusty and locally severe thunderstorms poised sweep through the East today will break the heat wave, but may also have some damaging consequences.


***At 7:20 p.m. the supercell was headed toward Oxford.

***At 7 p.m. a tornado was on the ground south of Palmer, Mass. This tornado will continue eastward toward Fiskdale in western Worcester County.

***At 6:40 p.m. another tornado was reported north of Springfield in the vicinity of U.S. Route 20.

***At 6:15 p.m. Another supercell formed and was heading toward Springfield. The southern cell is now heading toward South Walpule and Foxborough., and a tornado was reported in Westfield.

***At 5:30 p.m. Cell was moving eastward through southern Worcester County, including Sturbridge and Oxford. Tornado reported near I-84 with cars overturned in Sturbridge.

***At 5 p.m. A supercell with a tornado was reported in Westfield, Mass. and this cell made its way to Springfield, where a tornado was also reported.

***At 4:30 p.m. radar showed a cluster of severe thunderstorms moving across western Massachusetts.

***At 3:30 p.m. radar indicated a debris ball near Bethel, Maine. A debris ball is indicative of a tornado on the ground. This storm is heading in the direction of Augusta, Maine.

***At 3:07 p.m. baseball-sized hail fell on Shaftsbury, Vt.

***2:45 p.m. EDT...Radar was indicating hook echoes and rotation in some of the storms in southern Vermont, southern New Hampshire and western Massachusetts.


http://www.accuweather.com/blogs/news/s ... astern.asp

We had a supercell thunderstorm here one New years eve, it left a metre of hail on some streets!

[@meric@nwom@n]

Thanks y'all -- even growing up in MD we didn't have to deal with this kind of weather, although we used to have some major thunderstorms -- but never rotation.

Kristina, no cellar, my house is on pilings, with tons of glass (as befits a place on the beach). I've got a friend's keys, and a basement to head to if necessary. Collected wallet, flashlight, and emergency radio. I even put the cat in her crate, just in case, because I'd be a mess if I had to leave her behind. OY. I'm hopeful none of this is necessary -- this is weird weird stuff.

Reading this makes me realize how seriously blasé I have become to storms. I will set a flashlight by the bed, and, depending on how early I have to get up for work, the dog will be on her own. I can't sleep with her standing by the bed panting and blowing hot stinky dog breath on me. She usually goes in the main bathroom now because she learned that she will get kicked out to the garage if she wakes us up. If the storm is bad and sirens are going off and I actually wake up I usually just think, "Ok the roof has not blown off" then go back to sleep.

I see there have been a lot of injuries. Terrible.

[Guinevere]

I was not prepared for the Boxing Day noreaster that damaged my house and whole neighborhood. I could have protected myself and my property better if I had been aware. And it scared me badly (and I don't scare easily). As a result, I'm admittedly a bit hypersensitive, but the old adage about ounces of prevention and pounds of cure is so true.

Because the early strikes today (3-5 tornados) happened midday, in a crowded urban area, there is amazing video of the tornados. Debris is landing all over central Mass now. The good news is the temps have dropped and the warnings are downgraded to watches, although there are still strong thunderstorms, high winds, and lightning strikes to deal with before the night is over.

[Aard Vark]

Guinevere I hope all is safe. The Cyclone safty surgests sitting it the barth if you don't have anything better. Other place is the linnin cupboard.

Good luck and as I was stold enjoy the storm it is nature reminding everyone she does run the show.

[Guinevere]

OK, we are all clear here, and the storm should essentially be out to sea now, and there are no more coming up behind. Thanks for hanging in there with me. In the end, the tornados died out as the storms moved towards the ocean, and we only had severe thunderstorms -- over an hour of constant lightning and thunder, and I can still see if off to the east and south, heading towards the Cape.

Some areas in Central/Western MA were devastated, one small town lost its entire downtown, and the death and injury reports are coming in. Welcome to climate change, people!

[Lord Jim]

Welcome to climate change, people!

Well since "climate change" has been going on since the earth was formed, we should probably be getting used to it....

[Rick]

Just saw this after watching the news this evening.

Glad ya made it through ok...

[Gob]

Looks NASTY!

[Guinevere]

Holy cr@p!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2YWl0Nx ... r_embedded

[Sue U]

Glad you're ok, Guin. Scary as hell.

[Guinevere]

Heard from Andy last night and he's in the clear as well.

[The Hen]

Yay. Good news is always so welcome when nature gets pissed.

[Guinevere]

Hahahahaha, look who the tornado blew in from the west . . . .



just in time to rain all over Mittens' parade (which is already going to be overshadowed here by the weather and the Bruins)

http://www.bostonherald.com/news/us_pol ... ition=also

[Sue U]

Ha, the Republican Party will eat itself.

Cannibals. Sheesh.

[Long Run]

If Six Flags could bottle that they'd have some ride. That video was stunning. Glad the folks we know are okay.