More heavy rainfall over the weekend created havoc throughout Franklin County, as area towns and cities were forced to combat another wet weekend in what has already been one of the rainiest Julys on record.
In Orange, Fire Chief James Young declared a State of Emergency Sunday morning due to multiple flooded roads in the town.
At one point Sunday:
■A portion of Tully Road from the bottom of Creamery Hill to Tully CCC was closed
■Royalston Road was closed from Millyard Road
■The Oxbox was unpassable in certain areas
■East River Street was down to one lane in the Pinecrest area
Tully Road near Creamery Hill Road was to remain closed until at least Monday when the bridge could be inspected, according to a post from Young on the town’s Fire Rescue EMS Facebook page. Flagg Road was also going to remain closed, while Royalston and Mill Yard Roads were reopened.
Young said he was working in tandem with Department of Public Works Superintendent Colin Killay, Orange police and the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency to assess and monitor the situation.
In Greenfield, Nash’s Mill Road and the Green River Swimming Area were closed Sunday due to flooding in the area.
“Due to the severe flash flooding Nash’s Mill Road is closed and the swim area will be closed until further notice,” the Green River Swimming and Recreation Area announced via Facebook. “Please remember to not drive through standing water.”
The Greenfield Police Department confirmed the road closure on its Facebook page.
“The water has been receding but the road still remains closed until it can dry out do the road isn’t damaged further,” a post read Sunday afternoon. “Obviously, the swimming pool is closed and repairs will have to be made.”
Heavy rain in Millers Falls led to major power outages and basement flooding as well.
“Initially the power was cut to the entire area as multiple basements were flooded compromising electricity,” the Turners Falls Fire Department wrote on its Facebook page Sunday morning. “Power has been restored to most residents.”
In Northfield, several roads were also closed due to the rainfall on Sunday afternoon.
“Due to the torrential rains last night, Gulf Road and Four Mile Brook Road are a couple of the roads closed in town,” the Northfield Fire Department said. “Some other dirt roads have limited damage. Our Town Highway and sub-contractors are working on repairs.”
Stay tuned for flooding and road closure updates at recorder.com throughout the day Monday.