Live blog: The latest reports, photos, video, and info on Saturday’s nor’easter in Massachusetts
A major coastal storm is bringing high winds, flooding, rain, and snow to Boston and Massachusetts, Friday into Saturday. Follow the latest reports below.
Related Links
Get the latest weather alerts sent directly to your phone. Download the Boston.com mobile app on your Apple or Android device.
Gov. Charlie Baker declares state of emergency in Massachusetts, effective immediately (12:15 p.m.)
Today, Governor Charlie Baker declared a state of emergency, effective immediately, to help protect the Commonwealth’s citizens and property from the impacts of the storm and expedite the use of Commonwealth resources throughout the recovery process. https://t.co/ze6W0qkQD5 pic.twitter.com/waodC053Ph
— Charlie Baker (@MassGovernor) March 3, 2018
Forecasters and state officials warn of coastal flooding for the noon high tide (11:40 a.m.)
Mid day high tide approaching!
Reminder: Never drive into a flooded roadway. Cars can be swept away in 2 ft. of moving water. Turn around, don’t drown! #TADD https://t.co/G4MauINyN4 pic.twitter.com/v4jLmn6s8b— MEMA (@MassEMA) March 3, 2018
[COASTAL FLOODING] We’re expecting more coastal flooding with the midday high tide, but when is high tide? Take a look.
REMEMBER: Continue to follow the advice of local officials. Obey posted
road closures and do not drive through flooded roads, even if the water looks shallow. pic.twitter.com/CPfBY5pAuO— NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) March 3, 2018
[COASTAL FLOOD WARNING CONTINUES] Structures along the immediate shoreline will again be vulnerable for damage, especially along the coast from Hull to Plymouth. Widespread inundation will again occur with the midday high tide with inundation depths at or above 3ft in some areas pic.twitter.com/i3CROdFPHU
— NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) March 3, 2018
[SUMMARY] Coastal storm continues to linger w/ blustery NE winds keeping surge & swell values high towards 12p-1p high astro tides, thus the threat of moderate to major coastal flooding along the E coast; power restoration efforts will be hampered pic.twitter.com/xMrm7AngTM
— NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) March 3, 2018
Map: Parts of Massachusetts had wind gusts over 90 miles per hour (9:40 a.m.)
Wind advisories for gusts between 40 and 50 miles per hour continue to be in effect through 5 p.m. Saturday for the eastern part of the state.
Parts of Western Massachusetts got 12 inches of snow, while nearly 6 inches of rain fell in East Bridgewater. (9:35 a.m.)
These National Weather Service maps show how much rain and snow have fallen so far.
National Weather Service issues moderate to major coastal flood forecast for noon high tide (8:30 a.m.)
[COASTAL FLOODING] Moderate to major forecast for the noon-1p tide today across E MA & #Nantucket; surge of 2.5-3.0 feet on top of high astro tides; 20 foot swell offshore; expect inundation of vulnerable shoreline locations if not already inundated from earlier; damage possible pic.twitter.com/JC0jmi2D5n
— NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) March 3, 2018
The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency is reporting that about 385,000 state customers were without power as of 7 a.m. (7:35 a.m.)
As of 7AM, power outages of ~385K
Outage tracking map: https://t.co/tKdER1Llac
Power outage safety tips: https://t.co/7KtWzMhiMZ pic.twitter.com/Btmh1lJTNp— MEMA (@MassEMA) March 3, 2018
Here’s the latest storm forecast from the National Weather Service (7:25 a.m.)
Coastal flooding & strong winds persist this weekend as the coastal storm slowly pulls away. Moderate-major coastal flooding w/this afternoon’s high tide, then lingering minor-moderate flooding tonight & Sunday. Winds are slow to subside, but strongest today & early tonight. pic.twitter.com/eehEDPbE2I
— NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) March 3, 2018
Here’s a summary of Storm Reports from last night & Key Points for today’s forecast. In summary, slow improvement is expected this weekend. pic.twitter.com/dV3Y0MHo08
— NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) March 3, 2018
Friday:
The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency is reporting that 432,723 state customers were without power as of 8:32 p.m. (9 p.m.)
Significant power outages continue. Areas could be without power for an extended period of time given the high winds. #PowerOutages pic.twitter.com/pZh5lBM4UC
— MEMA (@MassEMA) March 3, 2018
All Amtrak service on the Northeast Corridor canceled until Saturday (4:49 p.m.)
Despite our best effort to restore service between BOS and WAS today, we have determined at this time it is not safe to do so. Hazardous conditions for our customers & crews have led us to cancel all Amtrak service on the Northeast Corridor until tomorrow. We sincerely apologize.
— Amtrak Northeast (@AmtrakNEC) March 2, 2018
Here’s the latest on the storm’s winds, flooding, and precipitation from the National Weather Service (4:34 p.m.)
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORIES expanded; include areas @ RI; expectation towards this evening that under the storm intensity, beginning to pull away, cold air wraps in changing the heavy rain to a pasty, heavy wet snow … plus winds, increased threat of downed limbs, power outages pic.twitter.com/LUzEIxS6ma
— NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) March 2, 2018
AREAL FLOOD WARNING issued for Rhode Island & SE Mass; w/ 1-2″ of rainfall having already fall & another 1-2″ forecast, significant poor-drainage / urban flooding is expected, some streams & rivers flowing out of their banks; impacts to shoreline communities especially w/ surge pic.twitter.com/V9LFv0T9B9
— NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) March 2, 2018
[COASTAL FLOODING] Will be worse w/ later high tides as the full brunt of wind, wave, surf, and surge action have arrived, maintain, continuing overnight; neighborhoods inundated, cut off, will remain so until storm passes; damage will continue, homes could still be destroyed pic.twitter.com/Uf4VRke1iG
— NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) March 2, 2018
[STRONG TO DAMAGING WINDS] In the worst thru tonight; hurricane force NE gusts being reported along the coast, generally 30-50 mph well inland; downed limbs, powerlines, structural damage esp along the coast continues; exacerbated w/ any pasty, heavy, wet snow pic.twitter.com/RplSRF10uJ
— NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) March 2, 2018
[HEAVY WET SNOW] Intense storm, wrapping in colder air as it slowly pulls away this evening, anticipating a brief burst of heavy wet snow over Southeast New England; headlines updated; possible 1-2″/hr snowfall rates; greater impact w/ forecast NE @ 30-60 mph winds pic.twitter.com/Jt1AlPHiWT
— NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) March 2, 2018
[INLAND FLOODING] Heavy rain continues through this evening w/ a change over to heavy, wet snow late; warnings issued for expected urban / poor-drainage flooding … w/ river flooding extended into the weekend; total rainfall at the end upwards of @ 4″, locally higher amounts pic.twitter.com/sbGOWbtkwg
— NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) March 2, 2018
[SUMMARY] Significant long-duration, high impact coastal storm ongoing; we’re in the worst now through tonight; multiple hazards; please take this storm seriously; heed advice from local and state officials; stay informed, be prepared, take action, stay safe! pic.twitter.com/7Fzc98y0Hi
— NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) March 2, 2018
[GUSTS – 2p] Highest gusts observed in the past 24 hours from our automated surface observing network; impressive is the highest gusts have been observed over RI, however we’re well aware of hurricane-force wind gusts out across the Cape & Islands pic.twitter.com/Kh1gu1tS5j
— NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) March 2, 2018
[COASTAL FLOODING] Closing in on a 4 foot surge at #Boston; if this continues at the next high tide expected around midnight, would be talking a total tide of 14.9 feet which is presently forecast, roughly 0.3 feet higher than the tide just experienced (14.67 feet at 11:12 am) pic.twitter.com/HE7ZeE9eEB
— NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) March 2, 2018
[COASTAL FLOODING] #Nantucket tidal forecast; 7.7 foot tide at 1 am tonight; if met, it would be just below the record of 7.87 feet set back with the Perfect Storm of October 1991 (since records began in 1963) pic.twitter.com/puC4LIqBIx
— NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) March 2, 2018
Certainly becoming one we’ll never forget … pic.twitter.com/fEj0AmcuJD
— NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) March 2, 2018
[MAJOR COASTAL FLOODING] Very dangerous situation continues; wind, wave, surf action on top of tides, 4 foot storm surge … severe damage to vulnerable shoreline structures expected; inundation of roads, neighborhoods … life-threatening! Extreme beach erosion expected. pic.twitter.com/Tv88BbMq4q
— NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) March 2, 2018
[COASTAL FLOODING – 3p] Over a 3 foot surge continues to be observed in #Nantucket; likely to continue, on top of a 3.4 tide forecast close to midnight tonight, would see a total tide up to 7.7 feet; if met, 2nd highest observed, close to that observed in Oct 1991 pic.twitter.com/3jSHUChtXv
— NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) March 2, 2018
[RAINFALL – 3p] Amounts up to 3 inches in Southeast MA; from our automated observing network, likely error in some of these rainfall amounts, typically underdone given the strong winds preventing fetch in the rain gauge; additional 1-2 inches forecast; FLOOD headlines in effect pic.twitter.com/1gcNoOKdrh
— NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) March 2, 2018
[HIGH WIND WARNINGS EXTENDED TILL 3 AM SATURDAY] Strong to damaging winds, the worst thru tonight; coastal hurricane force NE gusts continue, generally 30-50 mph well inland; downed limbs, powerlines, structural damage, more so w/ any pasty, heavy, wet snow pic.twitter.com/dU7Da4gu8q
— NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) March 2, 2018
[WIND GUSTS REPORTS – 4p] Hurricane force as listed below; get the full list: https://t.co/BW5V6BwrcJ pic.twitter.com/7Fo0iCEIMa
— NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) March 2, 2018
[#Nantucket – 4p] Immediate surge presently being observed of 3.85 feet (purple line), enough that tides have briefly risen (red) during a time at which we’re should be going into low tide (blue) pic.twitter.com/q7xHmPPVzK
— NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) March 2, 2018
Tree crushes Jeep in Tewksbury; 1 injured (3:20 p.m.)
East St will remain closed until the tree and utilities are cleared from the road. Sole occupant of this vehicle was transported by @TewksburyFire w/apparent non life threatening injuries. #Tewksbury TPD47 pic.twitter.com/RjjmP6vwZo
— Tewksbury Police (@TewksburyPD) March 2, 2018
Here are 11 photos that show the power of Friday’s nor’easter (2:35 p.m.)
[bdc-gallery id=”7234456″]
Check out more videos and photos here.
National Weather Service posts updated expected snowfall map (1:20 p.m.)
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORIES expanded; include areas @ RI; expectation towards this evening that under the storm intensity, beginning to pull away, cold air wraps in changing the heavy rain to a pasty, heavy wet snow … plus winds, increased threat of downed limbs, power outages pic.twitter.com/LUzEIxS6ma
— NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) March 2, 2018
Duxbury police, fire share videos, photos of flooding (1:12 p.m.)
DXFD HW 9 seeing considerable flooding already in #Duxbury well before high tide. #noreaster #flooding pic.twitter.com/c38XakZqfD
— Duxbury Fire PIO (@DXFD_PIO) March 2, 2018
Do not try to drive through the water!! This person needed to be rescued from their vehicle within the last 15 minutes. #DXFD pic.twitter.com/trqntokli7
— Duxbury Fire PIO (@DXFD_PIO) March 2, 2018
Current conditions. #DXFD pic.twitter.com/uSdEO886i9
— Duxbury Fire PIO (@DXFD_PIO) March 2, 2018
Current conditions at Abrams Hill in #Duxbury pic.twitter.com/dMcAVX9tjy
— Duxbury Police (@Duxbury_Police) March 2, 2018
More video from Abrams Hill Rd in #Duxbury. Extreme sustained winds and gusts… pic.twitter.com/j85odvIg7k
— Duxbury Police (@Duxbury_Police) March 2, 2018
Here’s what the nor’easter looks like from space (12:56 p.m.)
Spotted by @NOAASatellites‘ #GOES16 satellite: today’s #noreaster is seen spinning off the Atlantic Northeast. This storm is slamming the East Coast with intense winds, snow, rain and hail. More: https://t.co/xEZIiarvDQ pic.twitter.com/ma6vddiSCO
— NASA (@NASA) March 2, 2018
Here’s a look at reported wind gusts so far (12:54 p.m.)
[WIND GUSTS] Latest reports; strongest gust measured so far out on Woods Hole at 69 mph; we’re not at the peak of the winds just yet which are expected right about now and through early evening; find the latest snow / rain / wind reports here … https://t.co/BW5V6BwrcJ pic.twitter.com/gEBEcve4yC
— NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) March 2, 2018
NWS: Boston reached its 3rd highest tide ever observed (12:51 p.m.)
COASTAL FLOODING … #Boston reached its 3rd highest tide observed at 14.67 feet (since records began back in 1928); with the next high tide and 3-4 feet of surge forecast, expecting a crest at 14.9 feet with the high tide near midnight pic.twitter.com/iORs1CRLm6
— NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) March 2, 2018
Quincy police post videos of flooding in the city (11:55 a.m.)
We are experiencing flooded areas throughout the city. Some areas include: McGrath Hwy, Southern Artery at Brackett St, Sea Street at Houghs Neck split, E Squantum St, and others.
PLEASE if you do not have to be on the road, please stay home! @CityofQuincy
— Quincy Police (@quincymapolice) March 2, 2018
Current conditions around the 700 block of Sea St. Road is impassable @CityofQuincy pic.twitter.com/pg1FarZCiH
— Quincy Police (@quincymapolice) March 2, 2018
Conditions along Adams Shore area of Sea Street. @CityofQuincy pic.twitter.com/8VWaUvrArg
— Quincy Police (@quincymapolice) March 2, 2018
Ladies and gentlemen.. PLEASE… This not only endangers your life, but the lives of first responders #TurnAroundDontDrown pic.twitter.com/qfAsec4Xoz
— Quincy Police (@quincymapolice) March 2, 2018
Rescues continue across the city. Front-end loaders needed to assist, as our vehicles are unable to navigate the water. We can not repeat it enough… please stay where you are if it is safe. @CityofQuincy pic.twitter.com/gDMCVRwBfJ
— Quincy Police (@quincymapolice) March 2, 2018
Watch waves crash in Scituate on Friday morning (11:39 a.m.)
We are live in Scituate where residents are urged to evacuate before the high tide arrives. http://bit.ly/2F6nL6R
Posted by The Boston Globe on Friday, March 2, 2018
8 telephone poles are down in Watertown (11:28 a.m.)
Traffic Alert: 8 Telephone poles have come down on Arsenal St between Irving St and School St. Avoid the area
— Watertown Police (@WatertownPD) March 2, 2018
https://twitter.com/WatertownPD/status/969608965322625024