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CONCORD, N.H. -- Powerful thunderstorms sparked tornado warnings and flood warnings, caused building collapses and have been blamed for one death Thursday afternoon.Gov. John Lynch declared a state of emergency in Merrimack, Strafford, Belknap, Carroll and Rockingham counties and called out the National Guard to help after the storms cross New Hampshire."Our first priority is to make sure people are safe," Lynch said. "That's our highest priority."Shortly before noon, radar indicated possible tornado formation in southeastern Belknap County and northwestern Strafford County in central New Hampshire, including the towns of Farmington and Alton. That expired at 12:15 p.m.Another tornado warning was issued at about 12:40 p.m. for southwestern Oxford County in western Maine and eastern Carroll County in northern New Hampshire. That warning expired at 1 p.m.
LIVE:
Watch Continuing Weather CoverageThe warnings were issued as strong storms crossed the state, triggering flood watches and possibly causing a house collapse in Epsom on Sleepy Hollow Road. The New Hampshire Union-Leader reported that one person
was killed in Epsom near the site of the collapse, but Epsom police said there were no confirmed deaths.There were reports of 50 to 100 homes damaged in the
town.Reports also came in of people trapped in cars in Alton and multiple building collapses in Barnstead. Ambulances responded from as far away as Belmont to
assist in Barnstead, and a viewer reported that North Barnstead Road was impassable.News 9 Assignment Manager Dave Sakowich said that Route 107 in Deerfield
near the Epsom border was completely blocked by five to 10 fallen trees after a powerful storm moved through."There was heavy rain, strong, gusty winds,
vivid lightning," Sakowich said. "It was an incredible storm that moved through."A flood watch was issued for Strafford County in New Hampshire
and York County in Maine. The National Weather Service reported a storm moving from Exeter to Dover to Sanford.The warning means flooding has been reported or
is imminent. Rainfall of more than an inch an hour was expected, which could flood small streams and cause ponding on streets.At least 2,600 people were
reported to be without power in central New Hampshire. Follow power outage information on Public Service Co.
of New Hampshire's Twitter feed.News 9 meteorologist Kevin Skarupa said strong storms producing heavy rain and gusty winds will batter the state
through the evening. One to three inches of rain is expected, and wind gusts could get as high as 40 mph.
Safety and environmental officials said they were most concerned about flooding along the Pemigewasset, Contoocook and Baker rivers."We are
particularly concerned about public safety because people do not normally expect flooding this time of year," said Christopher M. Pope, director of
Homeland Security and Emergency Management. "We also have many out-of-state visitors, people in campgrounds and others enjoying the outdoors. We don't
want them to be taken by surprise by sudden flooding."The National Weather Service predicted minor flooding of the Pemigewasset at Woodstock, Plymouth and
Rumney, with water a foot or a foot and a half above flood stage. Levels could reach flood stage on the Contoocook River at Henniker, the Warner River at
Davisville and the Baker River at Bristol.Pope said residents and visitors should watch out for sudden rises in river levels and heed flood watches or
warnings. He also said driving on roadways covered with water is dangerous because the road surface may have been washed away.Skarupa said the storms are
expected to taper off late Thursday. Friday is expected to be clear.
I'm in Rockingham county and while we're a bit flooded and the power is spotty we're doing ok at this point. We just need to make it through the next high tide (concerns about flooding from the ocean and the pond behind us) and we should be in the clear.
I know there are some other Ohana in NH and a bunch in Mass also having this mess of storms come through. Stay safe guys!
CONCORD, N.H. -- Powerful thunderstorms sparked tornado warnings and flood warnings, caused building collapses and have been blamed for one death Thursday afternoon.Gov. John Lynch declared a state of emergency in Merrimack, Strafford, Belknap, Carroll and Rockingham counties and called out the National Guard to help after the storms cross New Hampshire."Our first priority is to make sure people are safe," Lynch said. "That's our highest priority."Shortly before noon, radar indicated possible tornado formation in southeastern Belknap County and northwestern Strafford County in central New Hampshire, including the towns of Farmington and Alton. That expired at 12:15 p.m.Another tornado warning was issued at about 12:40 p.m. for southwestern Oxford County in western Maine and eastern Carroll County in northern New Hampshire. That warning expired at 1 p.m.
LIVE:
Watch Continuing Weather CoverageThe warnings were issued as strong storms crossed the state, triggering flood watches and possibly causing a house collapse in Epsom on Sleepy Hollow Road. The New Hampshire Union-Leader reported that one person
was killed in Epsom near the site of the collapse, but Epsom police said there were no confirmed deaths.There were reports of 50 to 100 homes damaged in the
town.Reports also came in of people trapped in cars in Alton and multiple building collapses in Barnstead. Ambulances responded from as far away as Belmont to
assist in Barnstead, and a viewer reported that North Barnstead Road was impassable.News 9 Assignment Manager Dave Sakowich said that Route 107 in Deerfield
near the Epsom border was completely blocked by five to 10 fallen trees after a powerful storm moved through."There was heavy rain, strong, gusty winds,
vivid lightning," Sakowich said. "It was an incredible storm that moved through."A flood watch was issued for Strafford County in New Hampshire
and York County in Maine. The National Weather Service reported a storm moving from Exeter to Dover to Sanford.The warning means flooding has been reported or
is imminent. Rainfall of more than an inch an hour was expected, which could flood small streams and cause ponding on streets.At least 2,600 people were
reported to be without power in central New Hampshire. Follow power outage information on Public Service Co.
of New Hampshire's Twitter feed.News 9 meteorologist Kevin Skarupa said strong storms producing heavy rain and gusty winds will batter the state
through the evening. One to three inches of rain is expected, and wind gusts could get as high as 40 mph.
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I'm in Rockingham county and while we're a bit flooded and the power is spotty we're doing ok at this point. We just need to make it through the next high tide (concerns about flooding from the ocean and the pond behind us) and we should be in the clear.
I know there are some other Ohana in NH and a bunch in Mass also having this mess of storms come through. Stay safe guys!
