The North Shore is experiencing its first taste of severe winter weather. Itemlive.com will continue to update you with news and announcements from the communities in our coverage area.
4:10 p.m. update: Power outages are beginning to crop up across the state, but North Shore communities have thus far been spared of any loss of power. There were 25 customers without power in Lynn, and 15 without power in Revere, according to the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency.
3:55 p.m. update: Lynn schools will be closed on Friday, according to the School Department.
3:22 p.m. update: Nahant is in a state of emergency and residents were asked to shelter in place due to significant flooding throughout the town. The town’s only ambulance was cut off from the community after the Causeway was shut down.
3:15 p.m. update: The search for a 76-year-old man missing in Peabody started and ended quickly Thursday afternoon. The man had left home during the nor’easter in just a shirt and pants.
2:55 p.m. update: Lynn Police Officer Ron Ortiz put a little girl on back and carried her away from a flooded car on Summer Street during the storm. The family and officer all made it through without injury.
2:52 p.m. update: At Lynn Shore Drive, Matt Ruby, who lives on Nahant Road in Lynn, was one spectator taking videos of the massive waves crashing against the sea barrier.
“I’ve lived here seven years and never seen anything quite like this,” he said
Lynn police officer Shawn Hogan, happy to have a day off on such a busy day, was also in the area snapping some photos with his camera.
“It’s incredible,” he said, recalling several other similar storms he’s seen while living in Lynn.
Nearby, at the intersection of Eastern Avenue and Ocean Street, flood waters shot out from manholes like a geyser, while police blocked off the roads from cars.
2:47 p.m. update: Police in Peabody reported they were looking for a 76-year-old white male who left a home on Westview Circle on foot wearing a white T-shirt and blue pants. He was described as bald, 5’7″, and weighing approximately 120 pounds.
2:43 p.m. update: The flooding has caused several street closures in Swampscott. Humphrey Street from the Lynn line down to Monument Avenue is shut down, along with Puritan Road at Eisman’s Beach. Parts of Atlantic Avenue are open after a brief closure during the high tide just after noon.
2:18 p.m. update: Peabody officials reported a water main break on Walnut Street near the New England Meat where crews repaired a 6-inch vertical water main break yesterday.
2:05 p.m. update: Blue Line service has been restored to Wonderland station in Revere.
1:48 p.m. update: All Blue Line service between Wonderland and Orient Height stations has been suspended, and the MBTA will not provide alternative service at this time, according to the agency’s website. The problem is at Beachmont station, where flooding has caused trouble on the line. Aquarium station is also closed on the Blue Line. You can get up to the minute T updates here.
1:45 p.m. update: All Market Basket supermarkets will close at 4:30 p.m. due to the severe weather, according to WCVB.
1:40 p.m. update: Thinking about school being closed in Lynnfield tomorrow? Still too early to be thinking about Friday, Superintendent Jane Tremblay tweeted shortly before 1 p.m.
1 p.m. update: There are reports of flooding in several communities along the North Shore. North Shore Road in Revere is “not passable,” according to the city. Revere also reported flooding on both sides of the Point of Pines, lower Beachmont, Bennington Street, and Emmanuel Street near St. Anthony’s Church. In Lynn, water poured onto Summer Street, Lynn Shore Drive, and River Street Place. And in Saugus, the fire department is readying its boat in case there’s need for water rescues, according to scanner reports.
12:26 p.m. update: The Northshore Mall in Peabody and Square One Mall in Saugus both closed as of noon on Thursday.
11:53 a.m. update: The Peabody Fire department noted that the city was experiencing white-out conditions as the storm quickly intensified.
Despite the deteriorating conditions, staff at the Washington Street Dunkin Donuts were still manning the counter. Workers reported little foot traffic since 10 a.m., but are hanging int there for now.
Due to the storm there will be no trash pickup by JRM on Thursday, according to City Council President Joel Saslaw. JRM is going to be starting early both Friday and Saturday in attempt to do three days of pick up in two. They are already behind a day due to the holiday this week, so Wednesday pick up will be made on Friday. Regular Thursday pick up will be made on Friday and Saturday.
11:19 a.m. update: Schools, town hall, the senior center, and the library are closed in Lynnfield today due to the snow.
The police and fire departments will be open and snow and ice removal will be ongoing throughout the storm, according to Robert Curtin, the interim town administrator.
A winter snow emergency is in effect until further notice. All parked cars should be removed from town streets or they will be subject to ticketing and towing.
For public safety issues, residents can call the Police Department at 781-334-3131 or the fire department at 781-334-5151. In case of emergency, call 911.
Trash collection will not take place on Thursday.Trash collection will resume on Friday for all streets regularly scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday pickup. Due to the volume of stops, some trash scheduled for pickup on Thursday may be picked up on Saturday if the routes are not completed on Friday. Please do not place trash out for collection until Friday morning.
Preparations for a shelter are in place if homes are without power or heat for an extended period. Residents in need of shelter should call the police department. If a shelter is opened, notice will be given via the town’s website and through the Code Red emergency notification system.
Click here to see photos from the January 2018 nor’easter
