Plenty of low level moisture, hot afternoon temperatures and a pre-frontal trough moving through Southern New England set off showers and thunderstorms.  A very strong storm with strong winds moved through the communities of Whately and Sunderland, causing a substantial amount of property and crop damage, mostly in the form of fallen trees.

Thunderstorm Wind in ESSEX, MASSACHUSETTS
From 19-JUL-08 18:55:00 to 19-JUL-08 18:55:00 (EST-5)
Location: PRIDES CROSSING
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Tree limbs and wires on Palmer Street and MacArthur Road were downed by thunderstorm winds.  The wires landed on a house, resulting in a fire.  The limbs also landed on a house but there was no known damage.

Thunderstorm Wind in HAMPSHIRE, MASSACHUSETTS
From 19-JUL-08 16:14:00 to 19-JUL-08 16:14:00 (EST-5)
Location: GOSHEN
Magnitude: 53.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

An amateur radio operator recorded a 61 mph wind gust on their home weather station.  No damage was reported.

Thunderstorm Wind in FRANKLIN, MASSACHUSETTS
From 19-JUL-08 16:27:00 to 19-JUL-08 16:28:00 (EST-5)
Location: EAST WHATELY
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 250.00K
Crop damage: 625.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Considerable tree damage was reported.  Fallen trees littered roads making a few impassable.  A few reports include: on Christian Lane, a twelve inch diameter tree snapped in two and two 50-70 foot tall trees were downed by thunderstorm winds.  At the rest area on Route 91 and Chestnut Plain Road, several trees were downed.
According to the Daily Hampshire Gazette, at least 100 acres of tobacco plants were destroyed with another 100 acres damaged, leaving an estimated $1 million in agricultural damages.  Several corn fields were also destroyed.

Thunderstorm Wind in MIDDLESEX, MASSACHUSETTS
From 19-JUL-08 18:26:00 to 19-JUL-08 18:26:00 (EST-5)
Location: BILLERICA
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 6.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Trees on Charm Street and Howard Road were downed by thunderstorm winds.  One tree fell on a house on Charm Street.

Lightning in MIDDLESEX, MASSACHUSETTS
From 19-JUL-08 18:32:00 to 19-JUL-08 18:32:00 (EST-5)
Location: WILMINGTON
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

A house on Shady Brook Lane was struck by lightning and caught fire.

Thunderstorm Wind in MIDDLESEX, MASSACHUSETTS
From 19-JUL-08 18:27:00 to 19-JUL-08 18:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: WILMINGTON
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 8.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Several trees across Wilmington were downed by thunderstorm winds.  This includes a tree down on a house on Lawrence Street and a tree down across the railroad tracks.

Thunderstorm Wind in HAMPSHIRE, MASSACHUSETTS
From 19-JUL-08 16:27:00 to 19-JUL-08 16:27:00 (EST-5)
Location: WILLIAMSBURG
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 8.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Trees and wires on Route 9 were downed by thunderstorm winds.

Lightning in HAMPSHIRE, MASSACHUSETTS
From 19-JUL-08 16:27:00 to 19-JUL-08 16:27:00 (EST-5)
Location: WILLIAMSBURG STATION
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

A barn on South Street was struck by lightning and subsequently caught fire.

Thunderstorm Wind in FRANKLIN, MASSACHUSETTS
From 19-JUL-08 16:30:00 to 19-JUL-08 16:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: SUNDERLAND
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 250.00K
Crop damage: 625.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Numerous trees and wires were downed by thunderstorm winds across Sunderland.  At least six of these trees landed on vehicles and another six landed on houses.  A town administrator reported up to 27 utility poles were downed.  A few of the reports received include: a tree down on a house on Old Amherst Road and trees down on Silver Lane.

Thunderstorm Wind in HAMPSHIRE, MASSACHUSETTS
From 19-JUL-08 16:35:00 to 19-JUL-08 16:35:00 (EST-5)
Location: HATFIELD
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

A tree and wires on Chase Road were downed by thunderstorm winds.  Another tree was downed onto the Department of Public Works building.

Thunderstorm Wind in HAMPDEN, MASSACHUSETTS
From 19-JUL-08 17:16:00 to 19-JUL-08 17:23:00 (EST-5)
Location: PALMER
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Trees and wires in the Bondsville section of town and on Stewert, Maple, and High Streets were downed by thunderstorm winds.  One of these trees fell on a house on High Street.

Thunderstorm Wind in WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS
From 19-JUL-08 17:20:00 to 19-JUL-08 17:20:00 (EST-5)
Location: OAKHAM
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Trees and wires on Scott Road were downed by thunderstorm winds.

Lightning in MIDDLESEX, MASSACHUSETTS
From 19-JUL-08 18:32:00 to 19-JUL-08 18:32:00 (EST-5)
Location: WILMINGTON
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

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

Thunderstorm Wind in MIDDLESEX, MASSACHUSETTS
From 19-JUL-08 18:33:00 to 19-JUL-08 18:33:00 (EST-5)
Location: WESTLANDS
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

A tree on Foster Road was downed by thunderstorm winds blocking the road.