A tornado touched down in Massachusetts on Sunday, September 8, 2024, causing significant damage across multiple towns and prompting damage assessments by teams from teh National weather Service. Initial reports indicate the twister, confirmed by the NWS, impacted areas of Hampden County, including West Springfield and Springfield.
The tornado is part of a larger severe weather system that swept thru the region, bringing heavy rain, strong winds, and localized flooding. While the full extent of the damage is still being evaluated, early assessments reveal downed trees, power outages affecting thousands, and structural damage to homes and businesses. The National Weather Service is currently working to determine the tornado’s EF scale rating.
Teams from the National Weather Service began assessing the damage Monday morning, focusing on the hardest-hit areas. Preliminary findings suggest the tornado’s path stretched for several miles. West Springfield Mayor William Reichelt reported “significant tree damage” and “some structural damage” in the town, but no injuries were immediately reported. Springfield officials are also conducting assessments to determine the scope of the damage within the city.
As of Monday afternoon, Eversource reported over 60,000 customers were without power across Massachusetts, with a significant concentration of outages in Hampden County. Utility crews are working to restore power, but officials cautioned that some areas may experience extended outages due to the severity of the damage.
Marianne Mizera of The Boston Globe can be reached at marianne.mizera@globe.com and followed on Twitter @MareMizera. Ken Mahan can be reached at ken.mahan@globe.com and followed on Instagram @kenmahantheweatherman. Residents are encouraged to subscribe to The Boston Globe’s daily weather forecast for continued updates.
