A tornado touched down in Central Massachusetts Saturday, a National Weather Service’s radar confirmed.
The radar showed a tornado in Holden moving east at 40 mph at 4:07 p.m.
Meterologist Candic Hrencecin told MassLive that although no official reports have been made yet, there has been a warning out for the Central Massachusetts area including in West Boylston and Worcester.
“Stay weather aware,” she said.
The tornado watch is in effect until 4:45 p.m. for the central region of the commonwealth.
The National Weather Service warns of major thunderstorms across the commonwealth, adding that it’s a “dangerous situation.”
These storms are moving east at 40 mph and are capable of producing damaging winds that could wreck trees and power lines as well as quarter-sized hail that could damage vehicles.
“For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building,” the National Weather Service warns. “Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.”
And it’s not just the hail or winds that can be dangerous.
“Lightning is one of nature`s leading killers. Remember, if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning,” the weather service wrote.
National Weather Service meteorologist Andrew Loconto told MassLive that several trees and power lines have reported to be down in the western part of the commonwealth including Southampton, Chicopee, Holyoke and Belchertown.
“Surprisingly there have been no reports of vehicle damage, which is a good thing,” Loconto said.
At 3:30 p.m., a severe thunderstorm was located over West Brookfield, or 18 miles west of Worcester, moving east at 35 mph.
“Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to trees and power lines,” the National Weather Service warned.
The weather service added that tornadoes can develop quickly from severe thunderstorms.
“Although a tornado is not immediately likely, if one is spotted act quickly and move to a place of safety inside a sturdy structure, such as a basement or small interior room,” the weather service wrote.
A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect in other parts of the state, including Boston, until 8 p.m.
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