New England and nearby areas are on high alert. Weather reports say a major tropical storm will hit the region this weekend. In Massachusetts, state officials are urging residents, especially those on the coast, to prepare for heavy rain, strong winds, and flooding from Friday to Sunday. All MBTA ferry service is canceled for the weekend.
On Friday, Maura Healey’s administration shared safety tips and warned that coastal communities are at the highest risk. The National Weather Service has issued High Wind and Coastal Flood warnings for the coast. Forecasters expect the storm to last more than 72 hours before moving away early next week.
The storm is arriving this Friday. Here are the first steps residents should take:
Sign up for alerts and keep your devices charged. Turn on emergency alerts on your phone, and if your city or town offers reverse-911 warnings, sign up for those too. Charge your phones, laptops, and other important electronics before the storm worsens. Have extra batteries ready for flashlights and any medical or assistive devices you use.
Secure outdoor items and clear drains. Bring in or tie down anything in your yard that strong winds could move. Remove leaves and debris from nearby storm drains. The State Department of Environmental Protection warns that blocked drains are a main cause of quick street and basement flooding.
Use generators and candles safely. Always run generators outside, away from doors and windows, and never use them inside your home or garage. Let the generator cool before refueling and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Flashlights are safer than candles. If you need to use candles, keep flammable items at least a foot away and never leave them unattended. Test your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
Check on your neighbors. “Check on neighbors, especially older adults and anyone who has a disability, to see if they need help preparing,” said MEMA Director Dawn Brantley. She also pointed out that September is Emergency Preparedness Month.
As of Friday, the forecast calls for a wet and windy weekend, with the worst conditions expected along the coast.
Eastern Massachusetts may get 2 to 6 inches of rain this weekend, with the most rain near the coast, according to state and local forecasters. Winds are expected to stay between 30 and 40 mph in central and eastern Massachusetts, with gusts up to 60 mph on the coast. CBS Boston and the Boston Globe say the strongest gusts, 50 mph or more, are likely over Cape Ann, Cape Cod, the islands, and the South Coast. Minor coastal flooding and beach erosion are expected, made worse by some of the month’s highest tides and waves that could reach 10 to 15 feet along exposed shorelines.
State officials say that with leaves still on the trees, strong winds are more likely to break branches and cause power outages, especially near the coast. If you lose power, report it to your electric company. Stay far away from any downed wires and call 911 right away.
Travel will likely be difficult from Friday evening through Sunday.
MassDOT is asking drivers to limit travel. If you need to drive, slow down, give yourself extra time, and check road conditions for your entire trip, including your return, at mass511.com. Heavy rain and wind can reduce visibility and flood low-lying roads. High-profile vehicles are especially at risk from strong gusts.
Transit riders should allow extra time and check T-Alerts before traveling. The biggest disruption is to the ferries: the MBTA has canceled all ferry service on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 26–27, and several Friday trips on the Lynn, Winthrop, Quincy, and Charlestown routes are already canceled. During the storm, the MBTA may run buses, subways, and the Commuter Rail more slowly, and flooding could cause shuttle buses or detours. RIDE customers can call the RIDE Access Center at 844-427-7433 for updates on delays or cancellations. At the airports, Massport expects flight delays and cancellations at Logan and Worcester Regional through the weekend, and advises travelers to check with their airline before leaving home.
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Credit: WBUR
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