Tornado Warning, Flash Floods Hammer North Shore

SALEM, MA -- Multiple roadways in multiple North Shore communities were closed Tuesday morning as heavy rains from the remnants of Hurricane Florence sparked flash flood across the region. The National Weather Service also issued a tornado warning Tuesday morning and urged residents in several coastal communities to take shelter in basements. That warning was expired at 11:15 am Tuesday, with no confirmed tornadoes touching down.

Much of the state is under a flash flood warning, with rainfall totals of three inches per hour socking the area. Peabody Police responded to a call on Pierpont Street to rescue a woman who was stranded by the fast-rising waters, while Beverly Police said Rantoul Street was nearly impassable. Roads were also closed or nearly impassable in Danvers, Salem and Swampscott.

In Danvers, Massachusetts State Police were called to the Route 1 and Route 114 intersection where three drivers were stranded in their vehicles.

The flash flood warning was in effect until 2:15, when the rain is supposed to slow. That's good news for the region, as it means rain is likely to slow before the next high tide later this afternoon.

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Photo of Winter Island Lighthouse in Salem by Dave Copeland/Patch.

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).