Severe Storm Floods Boston's Ted Williams Tunnel, Highlighting Infrastructure Challenges

A powerful storm overwhelmed drainage systems, causing rare flooding in the tunnel and raising concerns about climate resilience in Massachusetts infrastructure.

• The Ted Williams Tunnel flooded Wednesday night, submerging 400 feet of roadway with up to three feet of water due to a clogged drainage system.
• The storm dropped up to four inches of rain in the Boston area, with wind gusts reaching 60 mph, exacerbating urban flooding and infrastructure strain.
• MassDOT officials confirmed that the flooding resulted from a clogged inlet line rather than pump failure, requiring extensive cleanup efforts to reopen the tunnel.
• The flooding prompted discussions about improving infrastructure to address increasingly frequent severe weather events linked to climate change.
• The storm also caused power outages for thousands, disrupted commuter rail and air travel, and led to public health warnings about water contamination risks.

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