Thunderstorms Lash New England After Rare Tornado Outbreak

Severe thunderstorms swept through New England on June 23, 2024, following a rare tornado outbreak that caused widespread damage across Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Hampshire. The National Weather Service confirmed multiple tornado touchdowns, including in Johnston, Rhode Island, where a tornado lifted a car 10 feet off Interstate 295. Fortunately, the driver was unharmed.

In Rhode Island, tornadoes were reported in Johnston, North Attleborough, Mansfield, and Weymouth, Massachusetts. The hardest-hit areas included Johnston and Scituate, with extensive damage to homes, trees, and power lines, leading to a few thousand power outages across the region.

Connecticut also faced severe storm impacts, with damaging winds and heavy rain causing fallen trees and downed power lines, making it challenging for local authorities to restore power and clear roadways. In New Hampshire, similar storm conditions resulted in significant property damage and power outages.

Vermont experienced flash flooding, further complicating recovery efforts from earlier extensive flooding this summer. The storms brought up to an inch of rain in some areas, exacerbating the situation for many communities.

Meteorologist Glenn Field of the National Weather Service confirmed the tornadoes using radar, which showed tree limbs and other debris carried aloft. The weather service is expected to release a complete assessment of the tornadoes’ impact on Monday.

For detailed updates, visit the NOAA Storm Prediction Center and Weather.gov