The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning for Northern Worcester County, Hampshire County, Northwestern Middlesex County and Franklin County that will be in effect until 12:45 PM. Northampton, Holyoke, South Hadley, Belchertown, Amherst, and Easthampton are among areas that could see flooding, according to the NWS warning.
Lenore Correia, a meteorologist at NWS Boston/Norton, said that rainfall totals as of Tuesday morning in the middle of Hampshire County totaled around 1.3 inches.
“The most rain is going to fall in Northern Massachusetts,” she added, saying that Franklin County will likely see the highest rainfall totals. Areas along the borders of Massachusetts and Vermont or New Hampshire are expected to see four to four and a half inches, she said, while Hampshire County could get anywhere from three to four inches.
“This is the remnants of Florence,” Correia said. The deadly Hurricane Florence drenched the Carolinas and is now bringing rain northward to New England and the mid-Atlantic.
Currently, the flash flood warning is the only one in effect, but it’s possible for river overflow warnings to happen as well, according to Correia. It’s also possible, she said, that the flash flood warning will get extended.
The NWS warning advised those near small streams to seek higher ground immediately.
“You see any flooded roadways, do not drive through it. It’s not worth it. We say turn around, don’t drown,” Correia advised. “I guess if there’s any significant flooding, I’d seek higher ground.”
Greta Jochem can be reached at gjochem@gazettenet.com