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Heavy rain and severe storms cause widespread flooding and road closures across Massachusetts on Monday

Severe storms and heavy rainfall moved across Massachusetts on Monday, causing widespread flooding and several road closures throughout the region. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation announced that Merriam Avenue was shut down at the Route 2 interchange in Leominster and Fitchburg for approximately one hour during the morning commute. Drivers in dozens of communities, including South Hadley, Lunenburg, and West Springfield, encountered flooded-out roads and highways. In Fitchburg, the region received as much as six inches of rain, with residents like Pamela Wood and Jack McCarthy reporting significant water accumulation. The National Weather Service issued flash flood warnings for western and central Massachusetts, urging drivers to "turn around, don't drown" to avoid hazards hidden beneath the water. While some areas experienced electrical system outages, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency reported that only 1,122 homes and businesses were without power by mid-afternoon. The National Weather Service continues to forecast isolated severe storms and damaging winds for the eastern and southeastern parts of the state through the evening.

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