Severe thunderstorms moved through much of the Bay State during the afternoon and evening.  There were many reports of downed trees, large branches, and power lines from the east slopes of the Berkshires into Worcester and Middlesex Counties.  Damage was most widespread in Hampden and Hampshire Counties, where about 6,000 electric customers were left without power because of the storms. Lightning strikes caused damage in Worcester and Norfolk Counties.  In Worcester, lightning hit a power substation and a bank of transformers, resulting in more than 3,000 customers losing power.  Lightning was also given as the probable cause of a barn fire in Southbridge.  In Norfolk County, lightning struck five separate power poles as well as two homes, causing minor damage.

Thunderstorm Wind in HAMPDEN, MASSACHUSETTS
From 02-AUG-02 14:30:00 to 02-AUG-02 14:30:00 (EST)
Location: WESTFIELD
Magnitude: 50 E
Property damage: 2K
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Hail in HAMPDEN, MASSACHUSETTS
From 02-AUG-02 14:20:00 to 02-AUG-02 14:20:00 (EST)
Location: WESTFIELD
Magnitude: 0.75 
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO

Thunderstorm Wind in MIDDLESEX, MASSACHUSETTS
From 02-AUG-02 14:30:00 to 02-AUG-02 14:30:00 (EST)
Location: ACTON
Magnitude: 50 E
Property damage: 2K
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO

Thunderstorm Wind in MIDDLESEX, MASSACHUSETTS
From 02-AUG-02 14:52:00 to 02-AUG-02 14:52:00 (EST)
Location: WAYLAND
Magnitude: 50 E
Property damage: 2K
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO

Thunderstorm Wind in HAMPDEN, MASSACHUSETTS
From 02-AUG-02 13:56:00 to 02-AUG-02 14:05:00 (EST)
Location: LUDLOW
Magnitude: 50 E
Property damage: 5K
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO

Thunderstorm Wind in WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS
From 02-AUG-02 14:00:00 to 02-AUG-02 14:34:00 (EST)
Location: FITCHBURG
Magnitude: 50 E
Property damage: 15K
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Lightning in WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS
From 02-AUG-02 15:30:00 to 02-AUG-02 16:30:00 (EST)
Location: WORCESTER
Property damage: 10K
Reported by: NEWSPAPER

Thunderstorm Wind in FRANKLIN, MASSACHUSETTS
From 02-AUG-02 13:10:00 to 02-AUG-02 13:20:00 (EST)
Location: BERNARDSTON
Magnitude: 50 E
Property damage: 5K
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO

Thunderstorm Wind in HAMPDEN, MASSACHUSETTS
From 02-AUG-02 16:05:00 to 02-AUG-02 16:05:00 (EST)
Location: BLANDFORD
Magnitude: 50 E
Property damage: 2K
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO

Thunderstorm Wind in FRANKLIN, MASSACHUSETTS
From 02-AUG-02 18:18:00 to 02-AUG-02 18:18:00 (EST)
Location: MONROE BRIDGE
Magnitude: 50 E
Property damage: 1K
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO

Lightning in NORFOLK, MASSACHUSETTS
From 02-AUG-02 15:30:00 to 02-AUG-02 15:30:00 (EST)
Location: FRANKLIN
Property damage: 5K
Reported by: NEWSPAPER

Thunderstorm Wind in HAMPSHIRE, MASSACHUSETTS
From 02-AUG-02 13:18:00 to 02-AUG-02 13:18:00 (EST)
Location: HATFIELD
Magnitude: 50 E
Property damage: 8K
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO

Thunderstorm Wind in HAMPSHIRE, MASSACHUSETTS
From 02-AUG-02 13:34:00 to 02-AUG-02 13:34:00 (EST)
Location: AMHERST
Magnitude: 50 E
Property damage: 2K
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO

Thunderstorm Wind in HAMPSHIRE, MASSACHUSETTS
From 02-AUG-02 13:55:00 to 02-AUG-02 13:55:00 (EST)
Location: HADLEY
Magnitude: 50 E
Property damage: 1K
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO