What is the difference between a flood watch and a warning?

A flood watch means flooding is possible. A flood warning means flooding is happening or about to. A flash flood warning is the most urgent and means move to higher ground now.

Is it safe to drive through flood water?

No. Most flood deaths happen in vehicles. As little as a foot of moving water can carry away a car, so turn around rather than drive through water of unknown depth.

AUTHORITATIVE DATA SNAPSHOTUpdated Sep 26, 2026, 10:47 PM UTC

FLOODING · MASSACHUSETTS

Massachusetts Floods

Current flood and flash-flood warnings for Massachusetts from the National Weather Service. Active warnings are mapped by the area each one covers.

CURRENT STATUS1 active warning

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Current flooding in Massachusetts (1)

Massachusetts has 1 active flood warning right now.

#Hazard / eventSeverityLocationSourceUpdated

1Flood WatchFlood Watch issued September 26 at 12:18PM EDT until September 29 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Boston/Norton MAHighNorthern Worcester; Central Middlesex County; Western Essex; Eastern Essex; Southern Worcester; Western Norfolk; Southeast Middlesex; Suffolk; Eastern Norfolk; Northern Bristol; Western Plymouth; Eastern Plymouth; Southern Bristol; Southern Plymouth; Barnstable; Dukes; Nantucket; Northwest Middlesex County; Northwest Providence; Southeast Providence; Western Kent; Eastern Kent; Bristol; Washington; Newport; Block IslandNWSSep 26, 20266 hr ago

FloodingHigh

Flood Watch issued September 26 at 12:18PM EDT until September 29 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Boston/Norton MA

Northern Worcester; Central Middlesex County; Western Essex; Eastern Essex; Southern Worcester; Western Norfolk; Southeast Middlesex; Suffolk; Eastern Norfolk; Northern Bristol; Western Plymouth; Eastern Plymouth; Southern Bristol; Southern Plymouth; Barnstable; Dukes; Nantucket; Northwest Middlesex County; Northwest Providence; Southeast Providence; Western Kent; Eastern Kent; Bristol; Washington; Newport; Block Island

NWS6 hr ago

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COMMON QUESTIONS

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a flood watch and a warning?: A flood watch means flooding is possible. A flood warning means flooding is happening or about to. A flash flood warning is the most urgent and means move to higher ground now.
Is it safe to drive through flood water?: No. Most flood deaths happen in vehicles. As little as a foot of moving water can carry away a car, so turn around rather than drive through water of unknown depth.

CONTEXT

About flooding in Massachusetts

A flood watch means flooding is possible; a flood warning means it is happening or imminent. Flash flood warnings are the most urgent and call for moving to higher ground right away.

Most flood deaths happen in vehicles. Turn around rather than drive through water of unknown depth. As little as a foot of moving water can carry away a car.

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