Mass tornadoes cause heavy damage and at least 4 deaths

[dkmac]

Including downtown Springfield.

Tornadoes cause heavy damage in WMass

Updated: Thursday, 02 Jun 2011, 6:43 AM EDT
Published : Wednesday, 01 Jun 2011, 4:47 PM EDT

• Anthony Fay

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - A tornado outbreak caused damage across Western Massachusetts Wednesday afternoon, including one that crossed the Connecticut River from West Springfield into the city's downtown and South End, crossing the Connecticut River and Interstate 91.

At least four people have died. Governor Deval Patrick told the Associated Press that one person was killed in West Springfield, two in Westfield, and one in Brimfield. West Springfield Police Captain O'Brien told 22News that that a man was travelling in his car down Main Street in West Springfield, when a tree fell on top of it during the storm, killing him.

Massachusetts State Police Trooper Sean Quirk told 22News that the death in Brimfield happened at the Village Green Campground, located off Route 20.

Jane Albert of Baystate Medical Center told 22News that the hospital is caring for 25 people who are injured, 10 of whom are in the trauma unit. There are at least 20 other reports of injuries.

Governor Deval Patrick has declared a state of emergency, and 1,000 National Guard troops are headed to affected areas. Patrick, along with Mayor Domenic Sarno and Senator John Kerry, will appear at a news conference at 11:00 P.M.

Sarno said that the federal and state emergency agencies are helping to address the situation. He said that the South End, East Forest Park, and Sixteen Acres were the sections of the city that were hit the hardest. The Indian Orchard neighborhood also saw damage. He said that the city is re-assessing the situation, and that they will have a better idea of the extent of the damage Thursday morning.

Kerry congratulated local and state officials for their quick response to the tornado outbreak. He said that he expects federal funds to be forthcoming.

Thomas Walsh, aide to Mayor Domenic Sarno, told 22News that residents are being asked to stay off the roads so that emergency workers can do their jobs.

Mayor Sarno told 22News that all Springfield schools will be closed on Thursday. Westfield's Munger Hill School will also be closed on both Thursday and Friday. Several other area schools and businesses will be closed as well. Jurors for all Hampden County courts are not to report for jury duty Thursday.

http://www.wwlp.com/dpp/news/local/h...downtown-Spfld

[Joe-Nathan]

The sky cam video of the tornado crossing the Connecticut river was pretty impressive.

http://www.wwlp.com/dpp/news/local/h...downtown-Spfld

[Windwatcher]

Tornadoes in Mass---------isn't that pretty unusual? I don't think I've heard of one there before.

[virgo10]

Tornadoes in Mass---------isn't that pretty unusual? I don't think I've heard of one there before.

The Mother of all Massachusetts tornadoes. Worcester, 1953

http://photoblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news...usetts-tornado

I suspect this one will be right up there with that one. The death toll was much greater from the 1953 one though, 94 people.

[Windwatcher]

Did anyone see that video of the river being pulled up into the tornado in Massachusetts? Looked like a sci-fi movie.