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Western Mass. Storm Produces Microburst

EASTHAMPTON (CBS/AP) -- The National Weather Service says a severe storm that flattened hundreds of trees, brought down power lines and even injured some residents of Easthampton was a microburst.

The NWS sent a team to evaluate the damage and says a thunderstorm dropped a strong microbust in Easthampton near the Holyoke line. The microburst began at about 4:53 a.m. on the west side of Mount Tom.

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Trees down on Mountain Road in East Hampton (Photo credit Mayor Karen Cadieux)

Trees and wires were down on Mountain Road and Hendrick Street in Easthampton.

"What they look for a lot of times is what direction the trees are facing," WBZ-TV meteorologist Danielle Niles said earlier Wednesday. "I wouldn't be surprised if this comes back as a strong microburst."

The NWS estimated the maximum wind speed at 100 mph.

Several homes lost power and were damaged. Fire Chief David Mottor said several residents were injured, but did not require hospitalization.

"It's amazing that these people are not hurt," Easthampton Mayor Karen Cadieux told WBZ NewsRadio 1030.

Viewer photos sent to WBZ-TV on Wednesday showed several trees uprooted or damaged by the weather.

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Tree damage in Easthampton (Photo courtesy James Petrowicz)

Niles said that skies should be clearing after the morning storms, with high temperatures in the low 70s.

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A tree down in Easthampton. (Photo courtesy James Petrowicz)
Easthampton 10/8/14 Microburst Mountain Road and Hendrick Street (NO SOUND) by Pat Brough on YouTube

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Carl Stevens reports: 

(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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