After record-breaking rain, Boston Harbor has a public health warning; more flood watches for Massachusetts with downpours on the way

The record-breaking deluge of rain over the weekend has sparked a public health warning for Boston Harbor due to sewage discharge, while flood watches are yet again in effect for the Bay State with more downpours on the way.

Between the relentless rain, tropical humidity and smoke from wildfires, this has truly been the summer from hell.

The torrential rain from Sunday led to a daily rainfall record in the city, as 1.6 inches of rain was measured at Boston Logan International Airport, smashing the previous record for July 16 of 0.97 inches of rain in 2000.

The intense rain also sparked sewage discharge in Boston Harbor, also known as a combined sewer overflow (CSO). A CSO occurs when a large storm overwhelms the combined sewerage system, causing rainwater to mix with wastewater and discharge to a nearby waterway. This prevents sewage backups into homes and businesses.

“Massachusetts Water Resources Authority Outflow MWR203, located in the Upper Inner Harbor, upstream of North Washington St. Bridge, experienced a treated discharge or overflow starting on Sunday, July 16 at 1:49pm creating a potential public health risk,” the Boston Public Health Commission said in a statement. “This overflow ended at 8:23 pm on July 16 and this advisory will expire 48 hours after the overflow has ended.”

The waters in Boston Inner Harbor may be impacted by the sewage discharge.

“The public is advised to avoid contact with affected water bodies for at least 48 hours after a sewage discharge or overflow, during rainstorms, and for 48 hours after rainstorms end, due to increased health risks from bacteria or other pollutants associated with urban stormwater runoff and discharges of untreated or partially treated wastewater,” the Boston Public Health Commission wrote.

A whopping 4-plus inches of rain fell in spots around Massachusetts on Sunday, leading to flooding and stuck vehicles on roadways.

After tornado warnings were issued across the region, a tornado touched down in North Brookfield on Sunday. The EF-0 tornado in Worcester County had a 2-mile path length, and its estimated peak winds were around 80 mph. The tornado damaged trees, and there were no reported injuries or damaged homes.

Unfortunately, the severe wet weather is expected to continue on Tuesday. Thunderstorms with heavy downpours and localized flooding will be possible Tuesday afternoon. Parts of central and western Massachusetts are again under a flood watch.

“Torrential rainfall may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations,” the National Weather Service’s flood watch warns.

The ground is incredibly saturated from all the recent rain, so flooding can happen when some heavy rain rolls through.

The Boston-area later this week on Thursday and Friday could see some scattered showers and thunderstorms before things should dry out for the weekend. It could actually be less humid for once.

National Weather Service meteorologist Joe Dellicarpini told the Herald, “The humidity’s been brutal, but we should get a break from that this weekend.”