Lightning in Plymouth County, Massachusetts

Scattered thunderstorms, with embedded severe thunderstorms, produced lightning and severe wind gusts that damaged property and brought down trees and power lines across Massachusetts. The hardest hit were Franklin, Hampshire, Worcester, Essex, and Plymouth counties. Various lightning strikes downed power lines and trees, set fires to homes, and caused multiple injuries. For example, lightning struck a softball field in Rockland, injuring 15 people. Also, lightning downed high tension power lines, which closed sections of Route 2 in Westminster.Severe wind gusts brought down trees and power lines. One of the most noteworthy occurred in Northfield, where a microburst was produced from a severe thunderstorm. This microburst produced estimated wind gusts at 100 mph, or slightly higher. These wind gusts brought down 80-100 trees. The damage path stretched for approximately one mile, with the worst damage occurring on School, South, and Virnhan streets. A white pine tree three feet in diameter was brought down. Over 2,000 utility customers were without power from this storm.