Flash Flood Warning Issued for Friday Evening

A flash flood warning is now in effect for North Andover until 10 p.m. on Friday, according to the National Weather Service.

The warning was issued because of the heavy rain moving across the area as part of thunderstorms. The storms are headed northward and have already dropped one to two inches of rain in a short period of time, the weather service said.

The warning, which was issued at 5:55 p.m. on Friday, includes all of Essex County.

“Already reports have been received of roads becoming inundated with several inches of water in a very short period of time,” the weather service said in issuing the warning. “Flash flooding of small streams and urban areas is occurring or imminent.”

The weather service said that anyone near a stream or creek that is prone to flooding should head to higher ground. Drivers should avoid roads that are flooded, too.

For those of younew to town, there are several areas of the town prone to flooding including Route 114 near the North Andover Mall, Route 125 near Ozzy Properties and near Chickering Plaza, and parts of "out country" such as Boxford and Salem streets.