Flooding, damaging winds bring down trees, wires in Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire USA

Trained weather spotters reported “pockets of trees and wires down” in Lowell, Andover, Billerica and Tewksbury, and thousands were left without power north of Boston.

Firefighters responded to a home on Baldpate Road in Boxford that they said caught fire after a lightning strike.

“All of a sudden I noticed there was a fire in the front yard from the wire that was down. I happened to be looking out and I saw some smoke around the garage,” said homeowner Frank Guerrera.

The fire was contained to the garage, but caused smoke damage to the rest of the home.

Big trees also caused damage in Tewskbury after one fell on a home on Whipple Road.

“All of a sudden, we heard a big bang and the entire house shook,” said homeowner Cherilyn Mitchell.

There is damage to the roof of the home, but the family made it out unharmed.

Around the corner, several other trees brought down utility poles and blocked driveways.

“I’m glad everyone’s OK, but the damage is terrible,” said homeowner Patrick Richard. 

But the severe weather and flooding threat isn’t over yet.

As much as 3 inches of rain could fall by Wednesday and severe thunderstorms could bring damaging winds through Wednesday, meteorologists said.

Muggy air is bringing oppressive levels of humidity, forecasters said.

As the storms clear out Wednesday night, comfortable weather is forecast.