Near-record heat and a strong short-wave trough digging southeastward across Quebec led to the development of afternoon thunderstorms, mainly along the higher terrain in central MA and northeast CT.  A few of these storms produced isolated wind damage and some large hail.  One storm caused flash flooding in North Chelmsford, MA.

Lightning in WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS
From 02-JUN-23 13:29:00 to 02-JUN-23 13:29:00 (EST-5)
Location: SPENCER
Property damage: 800.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Lightning caused a massive 6-alarm fire that destroyed a 160-year old church in Spencer, MA.  The steeple of the First Congregational United Church came crashing down and this made national news.  The rest of the building was destroyed.  A detailed analysis of lightning strike data showed that one strike a little north of the church occurred at 2:24:47 PM EDT but a closer one occurred at 2:29:16 PM EDT.  That was most likely the one that caused the blaze.  No injuries were reported.  Damage figure is estimated.

Hail in NORFOLK, MASSACHUSETTS
From 02-JUN-23 15:57:00 to 02-JUN-23 15:57:00 (EST-5)
Location: WEST MEDWAY
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

At 457 PM EDT (357 PM EST), a relative of a NWS employee, on Brandywine Rd. in Medway, MA, reported 0.75 inch diameter hail.

Thunderstorm Wind in MIDDLESEX, MASSACHUSETTS
From 02-JUN-23 14:29:00 to 02-JUN-23 14:33:00 (EST-5)
Location: ORDWAY
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

In Stow between 329 PM EDT and 333 PM EDT, there were trees down into a house on Barton Road.  A few houses down, several trees were blocking the road and one tree struck a chimney and caused it to collapse.

Lightning in MIDDLESEX, MASSACHUSETTS
From 02-JUN-23 14:33:00 to 02-JUN-23 14:33:00 (EST-5)
Location: STOW
Property damage: 3.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

In Stow, a lightning strike caused a shed fire on Great Road.

Lightning in NORFOLK, MASSACHUSETTS
From 02-JUN-23 16:20:00 to 02-JUN-23 16:20:00 (EST-5)
Location: MEDWAY
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

In Medway, lightning started a house fire on Holliston Street.

Lightning in NORFOLK, MASSACHUSETTS
From 02-JUN-23 16:40:00 to 02-JUN-23 16:40:00 (EST-5)
Location: SOUTH BELLINGHAM
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

In Franklin, lightning started a house fire on Prospect Street.

Hail in MIDDLESEX, MASSACHUSETTS
From 02-JUN-23 15:20:00 to 02-JUN-23 15:20:00 (EST-5)
Location: NORTH CHELMSFORD
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

In North Chelmsford, dime size hail was reported.

Thunderstorm Wind in NORFOLK, MASSACHUSETTS
From 02-JUN-23 16:03:00 to 02-JUN-23 16:03:00 (EST-5)
Location: NORFOLK ARPT
Magnitude: 43.00 EG
Property damage: 0.50K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

In Millis, a tree was down on Acorn Street at Village Street.

Thunderstorm Wind in NORFOLK, MASSACHUSETTS
From 02-JUN-23 16:03:00 to 02-JUN-23 16:03:00 (EST-5)
Location: MEDWAY
Magnitude: 43.00 EG
Property damage: 1.60K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

In Medway, a tree was down on Village Street at Neelon Lane.  A tree and power lines were down on Awl Street.  Power lines were down on High Street.

Flash Flood in MIDDLESEX, MASSACHUSETTS
From 02-JUN-23 15:45:00 to 02-JUN-23 15:46:00 (EST-5)
Location: WEST CHELMSFORD
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.20K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

In North Chelmsford at 445 PM EDT (345 PM EST), Middlesex Street at Cedar Street was closed due to flooding. At 446 PM EDT, significant street flooding was reported on Old Westford Road behind the police station, per police department...relayed by amateur radio.