A shortwave trough and a warm, humid, unstable atmosphere combined to produce showers and thunderstorms across southern New England.  These storms produced damaging wind and lots of lightning.  Seven to ten people were struck when standing under a tree at a soccer game in Dorchester, MA.  Another was struck when turning off the water to an outdoor shower in Hingham, MA.  Several other lightning strikes ignited fires in New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

Thunderstorm Wind in FRANKLIN, MASSACHUSETTS
From 20-JUL-08 19:25:00 to 20-JUL-08 19:25:00 (EST-5)
Location: LEYDEN
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

A tree and wires on East Hill Road were downed by thunderstorm winds.  The tree landed on a house.

Thunderstorm Wind in FRANKLIN, MASSACHUSETTS
From 20-JUL-08 19:39:00 to 20-JUL-08 19:39:00 (EST-5)
Location: SHELBURNE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

A large tree on Old Greenfield Road was downed onto wires by thunderstorm winds.

Lightning in FRANKLIN, MASSACHUSETTS
From 20-JUL-08 20:05:00 to 20-JUL-08 20:05:00 (EST-5)
Location: EAST NORTHFIELD
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

A house on Hidden Pond Lane was struck by lightning and caught fire.

Lightning in NORFOLK, MASSACHUSETTS
From 20-JUL-08 16:04:00 to 20-JUL-08 16:04:00 (EST-5)
Location: STOUGHTON
Property damage: 150.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

A house on Christie Murphy Drive in Stoughton was struck by lightning and caught fire.  The home was left uninhabitable.

Lightning in NORFOLK, MASSACHUSETTS
From 20-JUL-08 15:23:00 to 20-JUL-08 15:23:00 (EST-5)
Location: STOUGHTON
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

A house on Daly Drive in Stoughton was struck by lightning leaving an 18 inch diameter hole in the roof.

Thunderstorm Wind in MIDDLESEX, MASSACHUSETTS
From 20-JUL-08 14:10:00 to 20-JUL-08 14:19:00 (EST-5)
Location: BEAVER BROOK
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

A transformer was blown off the utility pole on Hammond Street in Waltham.  In Watertown, trees and wires on Chaplin Road were downed by thunderstorm winds.

Lightning in SUFFOLK, MASSACHUSETTS
From 20-JUL-08 14:25:00 to 20-JUL-08 14:25:00 (EST-5)
Location: GROVE HALL
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Lightning struck a tree at Franklin Field on Talbot Avenue in Dorchester.  Between seven and ten people, including one boy had taken shelter under the tree while watching a soccer game.  They were all injured when the lightning struck and subsequently hospitalized.  Reports as to the number of people injured vary.  Two days later seven of them were still hospitalized, with four in intensive care.  Injuries ranged from heart attacks, numbness in the legs, and burn wounds.  All were expected to live.

Lightning in PLYMOUTH, MASSACHUSETTS
From 20-JUL-08 14:59:00 to 20-JUL-08 14:59:00 (EST-5)
Location: HINGHAM
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

A woman was injured while turning off the water to an outdoor shower when lightning struck somewhere inside the house and travelled through the plumbing.

Lightning in NORFOLK, MASSACHUSETTS
From 20-JUL-08 14:55:00 to 20-JUL-08 14:55:00 (EST-5)
Location: MILTON
Property damage: 250.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

A house on Highland Street in Quincy was struck by lightning and caught fire.

Thunderstorm Wind in WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS
From 20-JUL-08 16:06:00 to 20-JUL-08 16:15:00 (EST-5)
Location: GARDNER
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

A tree and several large tree limbs on Edgell STreet in Gardner were downed by thunderstorm winds.  Trees in Ashuburnham also were downed with one blocking a road.