Five Tornadoes Confirmed in Central Massachusetts Saturday

The National Weather Service confirmed that five separate EF-1 tornadoes touched down in central Massachusetts on Saturday afternoon, impacting the towns of Paxton, Holden, Berlin, and Stow. Two distinct tornadoes struck Paxton, with wind speeds reaching up to 100 mph, while tornadoes in Holden, Berlin, and Stow had peak winds of 104 mph. These tornadoes caused significant damage, uprooting large trees, scattering debris, and damaging homes and vehicles, though no injuries or fatalities were reported. Residents like Phylis Lorrain and Janna Goodnow in Holden described taking shelter during the warnings and the extensive cleanup needed after the storms. The tornadoes moved quickly, and cell phone alerts were credited with allowing residents to prepare adequately. Surveys and drone footage documented the damage paths, highlighting the destructive force despite the brief duration of the tornadoes.