There may not be a foot of snow in the forecast, but hurricane-like winds and four dangerous high tides are expected as a monster nor’easter slowly churns off the coast of New Engand. Check back here throughout the day for updates about conditions in the Itemlive.com coverage area.
SATURDAY
1:10 p.m.: With the high tide now behind us, police are slowly opening roadways, though standing water remains an issue. It’s best to avoid flood-prone roadways, but if you must travel, pay close attention to the officers directing traffic.
As high tide crested, the waves whipped along Lynn Shore Drive. Here was one view from Red Rock, taken by Item photographer Spenser Hasak.
12:44 p.m.: High tide has crested. In Lynn, State Police diverted drivers off the Lynnway and onto Market Street.
12:20 p.m.: Governor Charlie Baker has declared a state of emergency in Massachusetts.
12:15 p.m.: Both Revere and Boston are shutting down their sides of Bennington Street in Beachmont.
12:10 p.m.: Several Swampscott streets, including Humphrey Street, Atlantic Avenue and Puritan Road, are closed to traffic as the high tide approached. Swampscott Police noted that there is extensive storm damage and loss of power throughout the community. National Grid is working on the problem but can’t give town residents an estimated time for the power’s return.
12 p.m.: As the high tide approaches, police departments across the region are again shutting down major roads in anticipation of more flooding. That includes Revere Beach Boulevard, Lynn Marsh Road (Route 107), and North Shore Road from Revere Street to the GE Bridge, the Nahant Causeway and Rotary, the Marblehead Causeway.
Beyond road closures, police, firefighters and DPW workers were all dealing with a massive clean-up effort. In one of countless examples, a telephone pole came crashing down on Tower Road in Lynn, draping live power lines on a home.
FRIDAY
5:30 p.m.: Revere Police aren’t waiting for the water to rise tonight; the department has already announced several road closures ahead of the 11:46 p.m. high tide, which is expected to crest higher than the morning’s surge. The following roads will closed in both directions at 10 p.m.:
- North Shore Road between Revere Street and the GE Bridge
- Lynn Marsh Road (Route 107) between Revere and Saugus
- Bennington Street to the East Boston line
4:05 p.m.: The me&thee coffeehouse in Marblehead has announced that due to the storm tonight’s performance by Grammy-award-winning artist Dom Flemons (The Carolina Chocolate Drops) has been canceled.
4 p.m.: Nooo!
3:50 p.m.: According to Lynn Museum Education director Judith Marshall and the museum’s Facebook page, this evening’s Art After Hours Snowball and Saturday’s “Rooted Wraps” events are still on as scheduled.
3:40 p.m.: North Shore Road will open soon, according to the city of Revere. Route 107 at Lynn Marsh Road is also open, though the scene from earlier made the marsh land look like ocean, as the photo below shows:
2:15 p.m.: If you’re wondering why North Shore Road was still closed even after the flood waters receded, it’s because of the debris left behind. Revere Police posted a fantastic photo of the flooding’s aftermath on the critical roadway:
North shore rd still closed. Water receded but left debris. pic.twitter.com/AgZ7UmeXsD
— Revere Police (@reverepolice) March 2, 2018
1:25 p.m.: Power crews are working to remove a tree that fell on top of power lines on Beacon Street in Marblehead, according to police. The road remains closed. Marblehead Police also summed up what everyone is thinking:
“Now a respite until the next high tide.”
1:20 p.m.: There were few issues with the storm in Peabody as of 1 p.m., according to David Terenzoni, the city’s public works director.
Terenznoi said the North River downtown was high, but that the tide was heading out. Other potential problem areas on Foster and Walnut streets were faring well in the early afternoon.
1:11 p.m.: It’s pretty clear that the big story for the area is the flooding and dangerous string of high tides. But for those of you thinking about snow, there’s a little good news: The National Weather Service’s latest snowfall forecast calls for less snow than previously anticipated.
1:05 p.m.: The Lynn YMCA has postponed its Friday and Saturday dance classes with famed choreographer Jimmy Locust due to the nor’easter. The event will be rescheduled for another date.
1 p.m.: Nahant causeway remains open. Emergency management officials report the forecast is on track for wind gusts near 70 mph, and the high tide waters are not expected to recede much. Concern is for the midnight and 11 a.m. Saturday high tides.
12:45 p.m.: High tide is over, and waters are starting to recede. The Marblehead Causeway is now open, as are parts of Winthrop Avenue in Revere.
12:25 p.m.: Winthrop Avenue is Revere is closed between Suffolk Downs and Donn0lley Square in Beachmont, according to the city’s Twitter account.
12:15 p.m.: Marblehead Police have blocked off Norman Street and Wheeler Place due to fallen trees.
12:10 p.m.: MBTA spokesman Joe Pesaturo posted this video of a Blue Line car driving past floodwater near Beachmont Station in Revere. Aquarium Station is closed due to flooding. You can get MBTA travel alerts here.
Traveling between #Beachmont and #SuffolkDowns on the #MBTA #BlueLine #noreaster pic.twitter.com/tqh4Be9mA6
— Joe Pesaturo (@JoePesaturo) March 2, 2018
11:45 a.m.: Camden, River, Summer and Sagamore street in Lynn are under water, according to police.
11:40 a.m.: Saugus Senior Center will be opened as an emergency shelter in the event of severe flooding, power outages, or heating issues, said Town Manager Scott Crabtree. Anyone in need of these services should contact Saugus Emergency Management at 781-231-4175, or call 911 directly.
11:25 a.m.: A pole down on Beacon Street has left about 300 houses without power on Beacon Street, Bradlee Road, Crowninshield Road , and the surrounding area, according to Marblehead Police. Electric Light crews and the Tree Department are on scene working to restore power.
11:15 a.m.: Route 107 and Bennington Street are both closed at both ends, according to Revere Police. Marsh Road is currently under water. Fox Hill Bridge at Ballard Street is closed in Saugus. The causeway leading to Marblehead neck has been closed, according to Marblehead Police.
National Guard is in town in Nahant. Castle and Fox Hill roads are shut down. Willow Road is experiencing major flooding, according to Nahant Emergency Management’s Facebook page.
10:20 a.m.: North Shore Road in Revere between Revere Street and the General Edward Bridge is closed, according to the city’s Twitter account. The roadway was partially underwater during the January 4 storm.
9:50 a.m.: The Lynn Fire Department is responding to a two-alarm fire at 102 Cottage Street.
The residential property is a three family home with six bedrooms and three bathrooms, according to Patriot Properties. It was purchased in December 2015 for $305,000.
9:30 a.m.: Nearly 1,400 homes and businesses have been without power in Vinnin Square in Swampscott and Salem since shortly after 7 a.m. National Grid expects the electricity to be restored by 11 a.m. An additional 51 residents on Nichols Street and Windsor Avenue lost power after 8 a.m.