Flood Watch Issued In Worcester County: Rainfall Up To 3 Inches

WORCESTER, MA — The National Weather Service late Thursday afternoon issued a flood watch for all of Worcester County, with rainfall up to 3 inches expected across central Massachusetts.

Rain fell off and on throughout the day Thursday, but that will ramp up after dark. The flood watch will go into effect at 8 p.m. and last until 11 a.m. Friday, according to the weather service.

"Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations," the flood watch statement warned. "Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas."

Total rainfall by Friday morning could vary across the area between 1 and 3 inches, but the rain could get very heavy along the I-190 corridor and south to the Connecticut border, according to forecasts.

There is also a slight chance of high wind gusts in the area, although the wind forecast has been downgraded since Thursday morning: the National Weather Service is now predicting gusts in the high 20s in Worcester County, with slightly higher gusts heading toward Boston.