Torrential rain, flooding New Bedford area cause car crashes, homes hit by lightning, stranded motorists

On Friday, April 8, heavy rain throughout the Southcoast caused major street flooding and hazardous road conditions.

Since 3:00am this morning, the New Bedford Police and Fire Departments, and EMS have been responding not only to multiple car accidents, both minor and serious, but street flooding severe enough to cause motorists to be stranded on the road with as much as 3 feet of water. Slick roads, thick fog in some areas, and people driving distracted or speeding was a dangerous combination.

In addition to accidents and stranded motorists, the New Bedford Fire Department receives a series of reports of homes being struck by lightning. One home in Fairhaven was struck by lightning and caught on fire. The Fairhaven Fire Department was able to respond in a timely fashion and quickly extinguish the fire. No injuries were reported and the extent of the home’s damage is not known at this time.

Video by Carlos Pimental Felix: