WORCESTER, MASS. (WHDH) - Tropical Storm Elsa’s drenching rains prompted a speed restriction on the Mass. Pike, as well as many road closures due to flooding on Friday.
Rising floodwaters in Worcester left some motorists stranded during the height of the storm. Water could be seen bubbling through manhole covers on Southbridge Street and in some other parts of the city.
Just around the corner a taxi driver, Dalip Singh, became stranded under an overpass on Southgate Street. When 7NEWS came to ask if he needed help, Singh opened his car door and floodwaters started flowing inside.
“I thought I could make it through,” he said. “I came through and I think I’m OK but the car is stuck. Oh my God.”
He is OK but the car may be a total loss.
Joseph Gangai works at Canterbury Automotive, right across the street from some of the flooding. He said he is just grateful the flood did not come near the shop where he works, like in years past.
“Within the past 10 years it flooded. The water was three feet high in the building twice. Completely ruined everything. All the cars tools inside, parked in the lot. It was pretty bad,” he said.
MassDOT announced a 40 mph speed restriction on Interstate 90 from Framingham to Boston as torrential downpours and strong wind gusts battered the region.
In Framingham, a stretch of Route 9 near Route 126 was closed to traffic due to flooding, according to police.
Bridge Street in Salem was also been shut down due to rising water levels.
Flooding also closed Truman Parkway in Hyde Park between Brush Hill Road and Warren Street.
A flash flood watch is in effect for all of Massachusetts, excluding the Cape and the Islands, with 2 to 4 inches of rain expected. In some communities, there will be a possibility for 5 to 6 inches of rain.
More than 13,000 customers were without power as of 2:30 p.m., according to Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency.
For the latest weather updates, visit the 7WEATHER page.
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