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Severe thunderstorms leave damage across Massachusetts

Trees fall on homes, cars as storms move through Massachusetts
Trees fall on homes, cars as storms move through Massachusetts 03:27

MASSACHUSETTS - Severe storms moved across Massachusetts Friday afternoon, leaving behind damage in several communities. As of 11 p.m., 47,000 customers were without power in Massachusetts according to MEMA

Friday was already hot with high humidity, making the climate ideal for storms to form. 

Fallen trees caused damage across the state. In Acton, a tree fell on a house on Ticonderoga Road, causing significant damage. 

Acton tree on home
A tree fell on a home on Ticonderoga Rd in Acton CBS Boston

Acton residents were stunned by the powerful storm. Third grader Kali described the storm as pretty scary. "It was raining really hard and everyone was at the window and we saw big trees falling down next to our school," Kali said. 

The Commuter Rail's Fitchburg Line was delayed more than an hour due to trees down across the tracks in Acton. 

Acton trees on tracks
Trees fell on Commuter Rail tracks in Acton, causing delays CBS Boston

Multiple trees down on the tracks also caused delays on the Haverhill Commuter Rail line. 

Will Neptune says the driver of a Volvo was not injured, but extremely shaken up when a tree fell on her car in Acton. "That woman she is lucky," Neptune said. "If she had been 10 feet further."

Charles Sondey of Stow said there was lots of hail as the storm moved through. He drove past the tree on top of the Volvo, only to find a tree down on his car in his driveway. "My poor Mercedes, it really took one for the team I guess," Sondey said. "It's pretty bashed in."

Stow Mercedes tree
A tree fell on a Mercedes in Stow during thunderstorms on September 8, 2023 CBS Boston

The tree also damaged a trailer and ripped the gutter off Sondey's house.  

In Andover, several major roads and secondary roads were still impassable late Friday night. The town said there are widespread reports of downed live wires across roads and sidewalks. Most of the town's residents and businesses are without power. 

Andover tree on house
A tree fell onto a house in Andover during a thunderstorm Melrose Fire

Andover residents are encouraged to stay indoors until conditions have improved. "We expect that unsafe conditions will continue into Saturday and Sunday," the town of Andover said in a statement.

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