Torrential rains lead to flooding
Torrential rains in the Boston area caused flash floods and major traffic problems Saturday afternoon.
The National Weather Service said two inches fell in Boston and 31/2 inches in neighboring Cambridge during the brief, intense storm.
Police said several motorists had to be rescued on Route 28 in Somerville, including one woman who had to be pulled from her car in high water.
Christine Broderick told reporters at the scene that she hung on to an antenna on her SUV until rescue crews arrived. She had tried unsuccessfully to leave the vehicle behind.
"I got out and tried to do the dog paddle because I can't swim and ... the current was taking me back so I made it back to my car," she said.
Flooding also shut down parts of Storrow Drive in Boston, where state workers used pumps to clear out the water.
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority spokesman Joe Pesaturo said the Fitchburg line of the commuter rail was shut down after water flooded tracks in Somerville.
And he said flooding forced the MBTA to bus passengers between the Jackson Square and Ruggles stops on the subway's Orange Line.
