Flash-flooding leaves several motorists stranded, lightning strike sparks Union Street fire

MANCHESTER, NH – Flash flooding and heavy rain created some dramatic rescues Friday, and abundant calls for service from the city’s emergency personnel.

Manchester Fire Department responded to 1105 Union St., which was struck buy lightning, causing a fire in the barn which was quickly contained. Manchester District Fire Chief James Michael confirmed the fire was caused by the strike in the roof and cupola.

Emergency crews were responding to calls for flooding and fire, as the lightning and heavy rains continued to cause fire alarms to go off across the city.

Another call came in for multiple motorists trapped in their vehicles on Beech Street near the JFK Coliseum. Manchester Fire Department Rescue 1, Engine 5, and other crews assisted in rescuing the people and opening storm drains in an effort to get water to flow from the streets, which had knee-high water in some places.

The National Weather Service fielded several reports of flash flooding in Manchester and surrounding towns.

Although the rain dissipated by 6:30 p.m., another band of additional rainfall is expected to roll into the area, and flash-flooding will continue to be a threat. Locations on alert include: Manchester, Derry, Merrimack, Bedford, Hooksett, Amherst, Litchfield, Epping, New Boston, Raymond, Goffstown, Londonderry, Bow, Chester, Allenstown, Deerfield, Candia, Dunbarton and Pembroke.

Slideshow by Jeffrey Hastings/Frame of Mind Photos

Due to the flash-flooding, Manchester Police issued a Nixle alert at about 5 p.m. advising residents of the driving hazard, and asking motorists to stay off the roads. If you do go out and encounter deep puddled water, stop where you are, reverse direction or turn around if possible, but do not try to drive through water, officials say.

Excessive run-off from heavy rainfall is expected to cause flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other drainage areas and low-lying spots throughout the evening.

The Weather Service says more showers and thunderstorms are expected in the Greater Manchester area before 9 p.m., then scattered thunderstorms between 9 p.m. and midnight. Scattered showers and thunderstorms will continue after midnight, with some danger of severe storms bringing the possibility of hail, damaging winds, and heavy rain.

annie — Actually, the sun will come out Sunday, Annie.

For Saturday: Scattered showers. Cloudy, with a high near 80. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent, and more showers through Saturday into the night, mainly before 9 p.m., becoming mostly clear, with a low around 64. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

The sun will come out Sunday, with a high near 88.

Flash-flooding leaves several motorists stranded, lightning strike sparks Union Street fire

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Slideshow by Jeffrey Hastings/Frame of Mind Photos

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Carol Robidoux