There is now a state of emergency in Massachusetts as citizens await the wrath of Hurricane Earl, the most powerful storm to sweep across the East Coast in 20 years. Rhode Island has also declared a state of emergency. Massachusetts residents, along with residents of coastal New York and New England, are bracing for the arrival of Hurricane Earl, boarding up windows, pulling in boats and cutting short beach vacations.
On Thursday,The National Hurricane Service upgraded its Earl "hurricane watch" to a "hurricane warning" for Cape Cod, the islands and Southeastern, MA. A hurricane warning is more serious than a hurricane watch. Earl is expected to reach MA sometime Friday afternoon or evening.
MA governor is urging travelers to and from the Cape to get off roads by Friday afternoon
MA Governor Deval Patrick is urging travelers to and from Cape Cod to be off the roads by early Friday afternoon. MA residents who live in low-lying areas are also being asked to relocate to higher ground. However, no mandatory evacuations are in effect in MA. as of Thursday night at 11PM.
Ferry Service to Cape islands to be closed Friday afternoon
Earl is expected to pass Massachusetts closest to Cape Cod and the islands –specifically the outer Cape and Nantucket. This first hurricane of the 2010 hurricane season will most likely still be classified as a hurricane when it arrives in New England, even though it has now been downgraded from a category four to a category two storm. Still, Boston weather forecasters say that even as a category two hurricane, Earl will spew fierce hurricane force winds in the Nantucket and Chatham areas.
Flash flood watch on from New Bedford to the Cape and islands
Additionally, there is a flash flood watch in effect from New Bedford to the Cape and islands. Forecasters say tropical storm force gusts could travel along the MA coast as far as the North Shore of Boston. Downed tree limbs, heavy rain, tropical downpours and flash floods are also possibilities, so Boston area and coastal MA residents should proceed with caution on Friday and Saturday, especially.
Weather forecaster advises viewers to watch out for storm surges, wind damage and flooding
WCVB-TV weather forecaster Harvey Leonard said on his Thursday night 11PM forecast that the three things to be on the lookout for in the wake of Hurricane Earl are: storm surge, wind damage and flooding due to rain. Leonard said that Massachusetts would most likely experience the height of the storm on Friday evening. The extended Massachusetts weather forecast says tropical storm conditions could still be with us for part of Saturday with the weather settling down for the rest of the weekend. Leonard predicted clearing skies for later Saturday and Sunday. So, if WCVB TV's Leonard is correct, Boston Day trippers can still savor some of Labor Day weekend.
For more information: Visit the National Hurricane Service.
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Comments
Stay safe up there. Nice article
I hope everyone in the Cape area pays attention to warnings and stays safe. A state of emergency is no joke. Thanks for keeping those of us outside the area updated on how it affects MA.
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