A sudden thunderstorm delivered torrential rain and vivid lightning to the West Island - New Bedford area on Friday morning July 8, 2011. At 9:50AM a blinding heavy rain quickly flooded low lying streets leaving cars stranded in water up to 2 feet. A fire was reported at 38 Hedge St Fairhaven and may have been from a lightning strike to a shed. A peak wind gust of 51 MPH was recorded at 9:47AM and total rain fall was 1.38 inches in 45 minutes at West Island. SKYWARN / NWS investigating isolated pocket in East Fhvn near Mill Rd/ Prince St - Comcast - est wind gusts to near hurricane force 70mph+ w/ tree damage etc.