Blackstone River To Reach Flood Stage Thursday

NORTHBRIDGE, MA — Areas south of Worcester along the Blackstone River may see moderate flooding on Thursday following torrential rains brought by storm Ida.

According to the National Weather Service, the Blackstone was at about 5-1/2 feet at 1:30 a.m. Thursday, and was projected to rise to nearly 13 feet by Thursday afternoon. Flood stage in the Northbridge area is 9 feet.

"Flooding will affect low lying areas from Northbridge to Millville. Businesses along the river should take the necessary actions to protect property along the river," the weather service said in a river flood warning.

On top of the river flood warning, southern Worcester County — including Worcester itself — was under a flash-flood warning until 3:15 p.m. Thursday. Between 3 and 7 inches of rain fell between Wednesday and early Thursday morning, according to the weather service.

Rainfall had mostly stopped in central Massachusetts as of 7 a.m., but showers may linger through the morning hours, according to forecasts.