‘Life-threatening’ flooding, 1-4 inches of rain forecast

A powerful coastal storm headed for Massachusetts could bring damaging winds along with heavy rainfall and potentially “life-threatening” flooding, according to the National Weather Service.

The storm will develop tonight and move just offshore of southern New England tomorrow, bringing rainfall of 1 to 4 inches, the weather service said.

A coastal flood watch will be in effect from tomorrow morning through Saturday afternoon along the entire eastern Massachusetts coastline, including Boston, with storm surges of 3 to 4 feet expected during high tide and the potential for severe damage, the NWS warned.

“Vulnerable homes along the immediate shoreline may be destroyed from the combination of high water and severe wave action,” the weather service said in a statement. “There will likely be widespread inundation of coastal roads and basements, with lifethreatening inundation depths above three feet possible in some locations.”

Many neighborhoods may be at risk of being cut off for an extended time, the NWS said, and some may need to be evacuated.

“Severe” erosion is likely and may compromise protective dunes, sea walls and other structures, the weather service said.

“Lives may be at risk for people who put themselves in harm’s way,” including those who try to cross washed-out roads on foot or by car, the NWS warned.

A high wind watch also will be in effect from tomorrow morning through Saturday afternoon in eastern and central Massachusetts and all of Rhode Island, with expected gusts of up to 60 mph, which could bring down trees and power lines.

If a high wind warning is issued, the weather service said, people should stay indoors and away from windows.

Some parts off Massachusetts also could see snow from today through Saturday, ranging from less than an inch in Boston and Taunton to up to 2 inches in Worcester and Greenfield.