Fierce Storms Sweep Through Berkshires

By Susan BushPrint Story | Email Story
A fast-moving line of intense thunderstorms blew through the Berkshires beginning at about 6:15 p.m. this evening and left the region with toppled trees, flooded roads, some power outages and downed electrical power lines. Weather forecasters predicted that the storms would develop as a cold front drove itself into the high pressure system that had delivered milder than usual temperatures to the region. Predictions of fierce storms accompanied by high winds caused the cancellation of this evening's Christmas tree-lighting event in North Adams. Williamstown was among the hardest hit communities, with reports of numerous trees and wires down along roads including Woodcock Road, North Hoosac Road, Cold Spring Road, Adams Road, and the Taconic Trail. At various points during a two-hour span, some roads were limited to one lane of traffic and others, including Woodcock Road and a portion of the Taconic Trail, were closed to traffic because of tree obstruction. Police believe that a vehicle struck a utility pole on Route 7 near the Mount Greylock Regional High School; an officer discovered an unoccupied vehicle near the school and began an investigation into the location of the driver. High water levels were reported at locations including the Spruces mobile home park but the park was not evacuated nor were there publicized plans for an evacuation at 8:10 p.m.. Mobile home park residents were evacuated in 2005 and 2006 because of heavy rains and flodding. Town police officers and firefighters remained at various storm-damaged locations as of 8:30 p.m., and National Grid power company workers worked to repair power lines and restore service to customers. Electrical service at the Berkshire Mall in Lanesboro was interrupted during a storm after trees and utility wires came down along a mall access road. The quick but vicious storm also caused flooding along portions of North Adams roadways, including State Road, State Street, Curran Highway, and River Street. Beaver Street was closed briefly due to flooding and Clarksburg police officers assisted with the road closing. The street was reopened before 8 p.m.. A State Road neighborhood across the street from the Price Chopper supermarket lost electrical service. The city was spared from many downed wires but police did receive reports of downed trees, according to police information. Adams police reported that street flooding was a concern as the rain fell but once the rain stopped, water receded quickly. The town sustained little damage during the storm, police said. Reports of downed trees, downed wires, and electrical power outages were reported in sections of Central and Southern Berkshire County and in sections of Bennington County, Vermont. As the rain diminished, most flood threats diminished as well. Weather forecasters have predicted much colder temperatures will follow the evening storms. Today's high temperatures rose to the upper 60 degree Fahrenheit level - Bennington,Vt. reported a 70 degree temperature at 5 p.m.- but beginning tomorrow, temperatures will rise only to the low 40s and mid-30s during the day, according to weather forecasts.
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Toy Library Installed at Onota Lake

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Feel free to use or leave a toy at Onota Lake's newest infrastructure meant to foster community and benefit kids.

Burbank Park now has a toy library thanks to Wahconah Regional High School senior Alexandra Bills. Located along the wall at the beach area, the green and blue structure features two shelves with sand toys that can be used to enhance children's visits.

The Parks Commission supported Bills' proposal in February as part of her National Honors Society individual service project and it was installed this month. Measuring about 4 feet wide and 5.8 feet tall, it was built by the student and her father with donated materials from a local lumber company.

Friends and family members provided toys to fill the library such as pails, shovels, Frisbees, and trucks.

"I wanted to create a toy library like the other examples in Berkshire County from the sled library to the book libraries," she told the commission in February.

"But I wanted to make it toys for Onota Lake because a lot of kids forget their toys or some kids can't afford toys."

Bills lives nearby and will check on the library weekly — if not daily — to ensure the operation is running smoothly.  A sign reading "Borrow-Play-Return" asks community members to clean up after themselves after using the toys.

It was built to accommodate children's heights and will be stored during the winter season.

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