Thunderstorms drench the state -- and Wrentham, in particular

By Globe Staff

Thunderstorms crashed through the state this afternoon, dumping torrents of rain on some areas. The Wrentham area was hardest-hit, inundated with several inches of rain by a storm that just wouldn't go away.

A spotter reported to the National Weather Service that 5.5 inches had fallen in the town by late afternoon and that several streets were closed.

Fire Department dispatcher Chris Eagan said his department received numerous calls for water flowing into people's basements. Route 140, a major traffic artery, was closed, along with a couple of side streets.

"It was loud," he said. "We got lightning and thunder for probably an hour and a half straight. It stuck right over us from about 3 p.m. to about 4:30, I'd say."

Weather service meteorologist Alan Dunham said 5.5 inches was a reasonable amount for such a lingering storm and was consistent with what forecasters had seen on their radar screens.

"They sit in a place for a half-hour to an hour, they can dump that much rain," he said.

The weather service issued several flood advisories for different areas of the state, warning of minor flooding in low-lying areas along creeks or small streams as well as ponding of water in urban areas. One remains in effect until 9 p.m. for northern Worcester County and northwestern Middlesex County.

Weather radar shows storms continuing to march northeastwards through much of the state.

Roads were also reported closed due to flooding in Walpole, Norfolk, and Blackstone.

Dunham said showers and thunderstorms would taper off a little as the night progresses, but he wouldn't rule them out entirely because the atmosphere is fairly unstable.

More of the same is expected tomorrow. But Sunday ... the forecast calls for a sunny day, with highs in the mid-80s, and a west wind.

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