Tropical Storm Irene tracked north northeast across eastern New York and western New England during Sunday, August 28th, producing widespread flooding, and damaging winds across the region.
Irene tracked from a position over New York City around 8 AM EST Sunday, to approximately 10 miles west of Danbury, CT at 10 AM EST, to approximately 15 miles south of Pittsfield, MA at 1 PM EST Sunday, to approximately 65 miles south of Rutland, VT at 4 PM EST.
The greatest impact from Irene across western Massachusetts was due to heavy to extreme rainfall, which resulted in widespread flash flooding. Rainfall amounts generally averaged 3 to 6 inches, although locally higher amounts of 6 to 9 inches occurred across extreme northern and eastern portions of the county. Much of the rain which fell occurred within a 12 hour period, beginning early Sunday morning, and ending Sunday evening.
This heavy to extreme rainfall resulted in widespread flash flooding and river flooding across Berkshire County. In Berkshire County, widespread road closures occurred due to flooding and downed trees and power lines. Numerous evacuations also occurred, including the towns of Otis, Sandisfield, Cheshire, Adams, Williamstown, and North Adams.  A debris flow was also reported in North Adams.
Furthermore, major flooding was reported on the Hoosic River at Williamstown, with moderate flooding reported on the West Branch Farmington River at New Boston and the East Branch Housatonic River at Coltsville, and minor flooding on the Housatonic River at Great Barrington.
Strong winds also occurred across Berkshire County, with frequent wind gusts of 35 to 55 mph, along with locally stronger wind gusts exceeding 60 mph. The strongest winds occurred from the north to northeast during the morning hours, then from the west to northwest during Sunday evening. The combination of strong winds, and extremely saturated soil led to numerous downed trees and power lines across the region. This also resulted in widespread long duration power outages.
In particular, the approximate number of customers affected by power outages included: Berkshire County, 10000.
On August 26th, 2011 an Emergency Declarartion was declared, FEMA-EM-3330.  This declaration made Public Assistance available to all 14 counties in the state of Massachusetts.
Public Assistance: assistance to state and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations for emergency work and repair or replacement if disaster-damaged facilities.

Flood in BERKSHIRE, MASSACHUSETTS
From 28-AUG-11 09:45:00 to 29-AUG-11 12:38:00 (EST-5)
Location: NEW BOSTON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Moderate flooding occurred on the West Branch Farmington River which resulted in numerous reports of roads flooded with wash outs in Otis and Sandisfield including but not limited to Route 57 and Route 8.
The New Boston river gage located on left bank 5 feet downstream from highway bridge, 0.3 miles downstream from Clam River, 1 mile south of New Boston exceeded its 8 foot flood stage at 5:22 am EST August 28th, its 10 foot moderate flood stage 7:54 am, crested at 10.96 feet at 10:30 am, and fell below flood stage at 12:38 am August 29th.
Initially started out as flash flooding then transitioned to river flooding.

Flash Flood in BERKSHIRE, MASSACHUSETTS
From 28-AUG-11 05:45:00 to 29-AUG-11 06:45:00 (EST-5)
Location: NORTH ADAMS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

A landslide and gas line explosion were reported on Miner Street in North Adams.

Flash Flood in BERKSHIRE, MASSACHUSETTS
From 28-AUG-11 05:22:00 to 28-AUG-11 09:45:00 (EST-5)
Location: NEW BOSTON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Moderate flooding occurred on the West Branch Farmington River which resulted in numerous reports of roads flooded with wash outs in Otis and Sandisfield including but not limited to Route 57 and Route 8.
The New Boston river gage located on left bank 5 feet downstream from highway bridge, 0.3 miles downstream from Clam River, 1 mile south of New Boston exceeded its 8 foot flood stage at 5:22 am EST August 28th, its 10 foot moderate flood stage 7:54 am, crested at 10.96 feet at 10:30 am, and fell below flood stage at 12:38 am August 29th.
Initially started out as flash flooding then transitioned to river flooding.

Flood in BERKSHIRE, MASSACHUSETTS
From 28-AUG-11 13:31:00 to 29-AUG-11 14:29:00 (EST-5)
Location: WHITE OAKS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Major flooding occurred on the Hoosic River. The Williamstown river gage located on the left bank 0.3 miles downstream from Sherman Brook and 2.7 miles east of the junction of U.S. Highway 7 and State Highway 2 in Williamstown exceeded its 9 foot flood stage at 8:30 am EST on August 28th, its 11 foot moderate flood stage at 10:16 am, its 13 foot major stage at 11:43 am, crested at 13.75 feet at 2:15 pm, and fell below flood stage at 3:06 am on August 29th.

Flood in BERKSHIRE, MASSACHUSETTS
From 28-AUG-11 09:25:00 to 29-AUG-11 02:53:00 (EST-5)
Location: DALTON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Moderate flooding occurred on the East Branch Housatonic River. The Coltsville
river gage located on right bank 250 feet downstream from the Hubbard Avenue Bridge at Coltsville, 1.2 miles upstream from Unkamet Brook, and 2 miles northeast of Pittsfield exceeded its 5 foot flood stage at 9:25 am EST August 28th, its 8 foot moderate flood stage 3:25 pm, crested at 8.20 feet at 4 pm, and fell below flood stage at 2:53 am August 29th.

Tropical Storm in NORTHERN BERKSHIRE, MASSACHUSETTS
From 28-AUG-11 06:22:00 to 28-AUG-11 22:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Numerous trees and power lines were reported down by strong winds across Berkshire County, resulting in power outages and road closures including, but not limited to the following: in Adams, Route 116 and Route 8, and in Otis Route 8 and Route 7.  The Automated Surface Observing System at the Pittsfield Municipal Airport measured a peak gust of 47 mph at 6:20 pm EDT (5:20 pm EST) and at the Harriman and West Airport in North Adams, a peak gust of 47 mph was measured at 9:26 pm EDT (8:26 pm EST).

Tropical Storm in SOUTHERN BERKSHIRE, MASSACHUSETTS
From 28-AUG-11 06:22:00 to 28-AUG-11 22:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Numerous trees and power lines were reported down due to strong winds across Berkshire County, resulting in power outages and road closures including but not limited to the following: in Lenox Route 7.