Severe Damaging Storms Rip Through Southern New England

BOSTON (CBS) -- Severe storms rolled through southern New England a second time on Tuesday after morning thunderstorms left more than 100,000 without power in Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts.

Tornado warnings were issued for parts of Middlesex, Franklin, and Worcester counties for most of the early afternoon.

Related: Billerica Hit Hard By Storm

Funnel clouds appeared to have formed in Athol. A tornado has not been confirmed in Massachusetts.

Photo Gallery: Storms Rip Through Southern New England

Large pellets of hail ripped through Boston late afternoon.

There were more than 20,000 reported power outages in Mass. as of 5:15p.m.

Hail as big as 1.75 inches was reported in southern New Hampshire during the afternoon round of storms, as a severe thunderstorm watch was issued for much of the region.

The morning storms sent one Bridgewater girl to the hospital over concerns that she was shocked by an electric surge in her home. The young girl was in her room when lightening apparently struck the home.

Terri Speller, a family friend who is visiting from Kentucky, said the young girl can walk but has some back pain.

"When she screamed, that's when it hit, and she ran down the stairs," Speller told WBZ-TV.

In Cranston, Rhode Island, high winds ripped a front lawn from the ground.

The torrential downpours and vivid lightning were captured on camera by social media users.

High winds brought down trees across the region, with one smashing through the back window of a police cruiser in Barrington, Rhode Island.

In Halifax, fire officials said lightning apparently struck a home twice, causing a small fire.

Power companies estimated that electricity may not be restored until the afternoon for many.

Falling trees hit wires on the Amtrak lines knocking out several signals, which led to significant commuter rail delays.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Karen Twomey reports

In:
• Massachusetts
• Severe Weather
• Rhode Island