By Max Bowen-max.bowen@northstarreporter.com
A brief but powerful thunderstorm on Saturday afternoon tore trees loose and knocked out power to several homes.
The skies began to darken at around 3 p.m., after which a torrential rainstorm with high winds struck the area. Rain was heavy and winds whipped up into a frenzy, bending trees and tearing loose branches. After it ended, the damage could be seen across town. According to the fire department, a two-mile area from upper High Street to the Reservoir, Old Post, and Edenpark neighborhoods were badly hit.
“High winds and torrential rain caused widespread damage,” the department stated on its Facebook page. “The Edenpark neighborhood was particularly hit hard in this fast moving storm.”
A command post was setup at the Public Safety Communications Center where fire, police, the Department of Public Works, and Electric Light worked together to address the damage. More than 50 calls were made in a short period of time, overwhelming the on-duty shift of 11 and requiring a full department recall. Mutual aid was not required and no injuries were reported.
North Attleborough Electric reported that its crews had been at work since yesterday and expected to have full service restored by 5 p.m. on Sunday.
