Southborough hit by flooding rains - narrowly misses damaging ice storm

December 12, 2008

A nasty storm system dumped several inches of rain on Southborough as temperatures hovered around the freezing mark. Elevated areas of town experienced some icing, however, in neighboring Northborough and Marlborough, the rain froze on trees and wires causing extensive damage and power outages. Several streets in Southborough were flooded, and the areas of town which usually are affected by flooding had water issues.

The following is a brief chronology of emergency incidents:

3:44 AM    Wires down, Clifford Road

6:00 AM    Flooding/damage assessment across town - Chief Mauro

7:34 AM    Flooded basement - John Street

7:57 AM    Flooded basement - Parkerville Road

8:08 AM    Flooded basement with natural gas leak and smoke - Cherry Street

8:14 AM    Medical Emergency - Mt. Vickery Road - Westborough Ambulance responded as all of Southborough's were committed.

8:51 AM    Power line down - Hillside Road

9:01 AM    Tree on house (limited damage) - Overlook Drive

9:10 AM    Wires down - Tara Road

10:38 AM    Hazardous condition - Parkerville Road - removed loose 100 lb propane cylinder from flooded area and open up clogged culvert.

11:01 AM    Medical Emergency - Reservoir Drive

1:00 PM    Flooded basement - Strawberry Hill Road

1:04 PM    Flooded basement - Hickory Road

1:16 PM    Flooded basement - East Main Street

Flooding in the back yards on Parkerville Road

The Sudbury River along Wood Street

Boston Road flooding near Overnight trucking

Same location

Boston Road near New York Ave.

Water flowing under the railroad bridge on Willow Street

Cherry Street flooded basement/gas leak.

Water pumped from basement

FF Robert Kane holding the pump's suction hose

Significant stream flooding occurred parallel to Parkerville Road near Southville Road. A stream flows along this area, and enters a culvert which then carries water under two homes on Parkerville Road, Southville Road, and the CSX railroad tracks to the Sudbury River. The discharge for the culvert at the Sudbury River is often below the surface of the river when the river runs high causing a back-up to Parkerville Road. This results in the flooding of yards and basements.

The termination of the culvert in the Sudbury River, which is now underwater due to the heavy rains.

Firefighters Jason Roach and Dale Goodspeed assist Neal Aspesi in securing his cold water suit. 

Neal removed a floating 100 lb propane cylinder floating in the flooded yards.

The errant tank is not safe and secure.

FF Aspesi then cleared the clogged culvert in an attempt to drain the flooding.

One of the homes affected by the flooding uses several pumps to remove the water from the basement.

Elevated areas of Southborough received icing during the event. Here, Engine 22 arrives on Overlook Drive to investigate trees down in the street, and a report of a tree hitting a house. Other areas receiving icing were Blackthorn/Tara/Bantry Road and Oak Hill Road.

Lieutenant Chris Dano assesses the damage.

Water over the dam at the Sudbury River Mill Pond near the MBTA station.

Another view

Raging torrents.