Flash flooding: Mass. highways, roads left underwater as downpours drench region

BRAINTREE, Mass. — Drenching downpours quickly turned highways and streets in eastern Massachusetts into rivers, just as traffic started to build for the Thursday morning commute.

A large part of Interstate 93 in the Milton-Quincy area was underwater before 7 a.m. as torrential rain moved through.

Video from the scene initially showed drivers slowly navigating the rising floodwaters.

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However, the flooding worsened as the morning progressed, with multiple vehicles left stranded in the middle of the highway.

MassDOT blocked off some of the northbound lanes shortly before 8 a.m. A trooper was seen checking on the occupants in the stuck vehicles as the water continued to rise.

Just before 9 a.m., MassDOT announced on X the full closure of both sides of I-93 in Milton at Exit 3 due to the extreme flooding.

MassDOT noted that the highway closure is expected to be in place for “several hours.”

“MassDOT crews are working to address areas, including the Southeast Expressway, impacted by this morning’s flash flooding and heavy rains,” the transportation agency said in a statement. “MassDOT strongly encourages drivers to proceed with caution and be mindful of flooded roadways, and to minimize travel as much as possible until flooding subsides.”

I-93 northbound at Exit 8 and I-93 southbound at Exit 10 in Quincy were all reopened by 11:00 a.m. I-93 northbound and southbound were reopened at Exit 3 in Milton around 10:00 a.m.

The Quincy Police Department warned of a slew of road closures, including Independence Avenue, Federal Avenue, Water Street, and Phipps Street.

Massachusetts State Police urged drivers to avoid the area of Exit 3 at Houghton’s Pond and Ponkapaug Road.

“I-93 is experiencing flooding as a result of significant rainfall,” the post read. “Milton and Canton police are assisting state police to divert traffic.”

In Braintree, police warned drivers about severe flooding near Granite Street and Wood Road.

Video captured by a Boston 25 photographer showed vehicles partially submerged in floodwaters in the area, and tow trucks performing rescues.

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The driving rainstorm also flooded out the entrance to the Blue Hills Reservation near Chickatawbut Road.

Just before 8:30 a.m., law enforcement said the area “was completely underwater.”

The lot of a Volkwagen dealership on Granite Street was also underwater.

In Cohasset, police warned that Route 3A at Lower King was closed due to flooding. Drivers were told to stay away from the area.

The Walpole Police Department warned of street flooding in “all of the usual spots,” including East Street at Elm Street, under the railroad bridge, Common Street near Washington Street, School Street, and in front of Walpole Town Hall.

There have been no injuries reported in the flooding.

A flash flood warning is in effect for Worcester, Norfolk, Suffolk, Middlesex, Bristol, and Plymouth counties until 11:15 a.m.

Some locations likely to experience flash flooding include Boston, Brockton, Quincy, Newton, Brookline, Weymouth, Braintree, Natick, Randolph, Franklin, Needham, North Attleborough, Norwood, Milford, Milton, Stoughton, Attleboro, Dedham, Walpole, and Mansfield, according to the National Weather Service.

Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets, and underpasses, as well as other poor drainage and low-lying areas, is possible.

“Turn around, don’t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles,” the NWS added. “Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.”

The NWS also warned that up to 2 inches of rain could fall per hour.

A flood watch is also in effect for Worcester, Middlesex, Essex, Norfolk, Bristol, and Plymouth counties until 4 p.m.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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