Check this article for continuous coverage of the major nor’easter bringing snow, high winds, coastal flooding and power outages. (scroll down for previous coverage).
11:30 PM update: Officials estimate it will be up to 3 hours before Route 6 can be reopened between exits 1 and 2 where high tension power lines came down. Eversource’s map is showing 322 customers out in isolated areas. 200 of those are in Chatham.
10:00 PM update: Route 6 closed between exits 1 and 2 due to high tension wires down across the road. Single vehicle crash into a tree on Weir Road in Yarmouth with one injury. Black ice suspected as cause.
8:30 PM update: We reported earlier on some reports of flooding in Provincetown. Now we’ve learned Provincetown Firefighters were kept busy responding to several reports of flooded basements or water in electrical systems possibly causing arcing. Firefighters had to negotiate flooded streets to reach some locations, especially in the west end where water was reported to be 3 feet deep in some areas. Many roads were temporarily inundated and waves broke over the town pier during the high tide. Provincetown Police have some good tips as homeowners start the cleanup process:
“As many of you know, we had a pretty big weather event which effected our community today in many different ways.
While the snow has mostly stayed away, we had a long period of sustained 40-50mph winter storm winds with an above average high tide because of the recent full moon.
The tidal water combined with the storm force winds pushed a significant amount water onto Commercial Street causing coastal storm flooding. In some areas there were more than 2-feet of sea water reported.
Your first responders have been responding to calls for help for the past 10 hours.
We know now that many of our waterfront residential and commercial properties along Commercial Street may have been exposed to this coastal storm flooding.
It is imperative that you check your properties immediately, ACT NOW do not wait. Contact your trusted caretaker, key-holder, property management company or if possible visit in person.
Several properties have already reported flooded basements.
If your property has experienced flooding we recommend that you do the following.
Before you do anything, make sure to shut off any power around the area, including electricity, water and gas. Never enter a flooded area while the power is on. If you aren’t sure how to shut these areas off, please call a qualified electrician or plumber before entering and beginning to work.
Wear boots and gloves for protection. You may also choose to wear a protective mask. Hip or chest waders may also be useful if they are available. Take care when walking and moving around the flooded area since it will likely offer itself as a slipping hazard.
Call your home or business insurance company and report the flood.
Confirm your coverage limits, deductible amount, and claim procedures.
It’s a good idea to get a professional opinion when dealing with this. Depending on your specific situation, you might want to consult a plumbing contractor, a landscaping or excavating company, a disaster restoration specialist or a combination of these. If your home insurance company is involved, you may check to see if they have a specific vendor that they recommend for flood mitigation.
It is important to remove the standing water as soon as possible. But please know that no town departments can assist you with dewatering.
Temperatures are expected drop below 10 degrees tomorrow night and remain there into the beginning of next week.
Power for the most part has been on all day with only sporadic interruptions for repair work and according to Eversource there are approximately 40 customers without electricity at this time.
We are here if you need us, but call response time may be increased as the storm is still ongoing.
The parking snow ban was placed into place at 3:00pm today.
With weekend wind chills in the -20 degree range. It will be necessary to keep the parking ban in effect to treat and maintain the roads before it flash freezes in place. You will be notified when the ban has been lifted.
The men and women of the Provincetown Police Department are here to help you. Please call us anytime at 508-487-1212.”
8:00 PM update: All of the larger outages have been restored. About 1,600 customers remain out in scattered outages. Additional outages are still possible with continued high northwest winds overnight as temperatures plummet.
Barnstable Fire reports on their busy day: During the January 4, 2018 winter storm, The Barnstable Fire Department was dispatched to the area of Millway and Commerce Road for multiple vehicles stranded with occupants needing assistance. Upon our arrival we found multiple vehicles with occupants that were stranded in up to 3 feet of water. Due to abnormally high tides, this area was flooded and was only accessible by our military 2 1/2 ton vehicle. A total of 15 people and one dog were rescued and evacuated to a safe area. The members of the Barnstable Fire Department were assisted by the Barnstable Police Department, the West Barnstable Fire Department, and the Barnstable County MACC. Special thanks to our BCSO fire alarm operator Brenda Nemic who managed all of the emergency traffic during the incident, as well as our Administrative Assistant Karen Hickey who attended to some of those evacuated by providing them with warm towels, food, and water. Barnstable Fire Chief Francis Pulsifer said, “I couldn’t be more proud of the men and women of my department and all of the public safety members that risk their lives everyday”. Chief Pulsifer further said, “The actions displayed by my firefighters today was incredible. They deployed into a limited access area under deteriorating and dangerous conditions with limited manpower and resources and made 16 rescues”.
7:00 PM update: 3,350 customers without power. Most are in Chatham, Dennis and Harwich. Video from Jake O’Callaghan shows pole down on Lower County Road in Harwich. Verizon will likely not be able to replace the pole until morning and the road will remain closed.
Wellfleet Police photo of flooding downtown:
6:00 PM update: A little under 7,000 customers still without power, 4.850 of those are in Dennis. CWN Craig Chadwick took these photos in Chatham where high water vehicles were used to evacuate people from the Morris Island area:
5:00 PM update: 12,000 customers with out power, 7,000 of those in Dennis. Sandwich Fire posted these photos of water surrounding buildings at high tide:
4:30 PM update: Harwich Police report that Route 28 at Bay Road is still closed awaiting Mass DOT to remove debris (photo below). Lower County Road is closed at Pleasant Road for a pole down. Route 124 at the Mobil Station is also closed for a pole fire. Bells Neck Road is closed due to flooding.
Some photos from West Barnstable Fire showing flooding at the entrance to Sandy Neck and a burning power line at Route 149 and Main Street:
4:15 PM update: East Falmouth also had a wind gust to 75 MPH as Wellfleet did earlier today. Flood waters slowing receding but have left significant damage. Many rescues were made and fortunately there were no serious injuries. 4,000 customers without power across the Cape. 2,000 of those are in Dennis, 1,500 in Bourne and 1,000 in Brewster. Bourne Police posted this video:
