Dangerous flooding in Massachusetts amid winter storm
BOSTON -- Police in multiple communities across Massachusetts are closing roads and responding to drivers stranded by flooding in the middle of Thursday's winter storm, CBS Boston reports. Video posted by Quincy police of the hazardous conditions on Twitter and warned drivers never to head into floodwaters. They say 12 inches of water is enough to sweep a car off the road.
High tide hit between noon and 1 p.m., and flooding emergencies soon followed, according to CBS Boston.
Gov. Charlie Baker says there was coastal flooding in about 32 communities. "The Mass. Emergency Management Agency is receiving coastal flooding reports from Salisbury to as far south as Orleans," Baker said Thursday evening.
The National Guard was deployed in high water rescue vehicles to assist residents in the flooded areas.
The Boston Fire Department posted a photo of firefighters carrying two people to safety from a car stranded in rising waters.
In addition to some street closures in Boston, flooding on Plum Island has forced a few evacuations, and Duxbury, Salem, Plymouth, and Eastham have all reported flooding.
In the coastal town of Scituate, waves have crashed over and breached the seawall, causing flooding near the Oceanside Inn. The town asked residents along the coast to voluntarily evacuate in anticipation of flooding and power outages.
People there have also been warned about the risk of ice "shrapnel" that could come off the beach. Scituate Town Administrator Jim Boudreau said a combination of the high winds and high tide could send ice projectiles flying and potentially cause injuries to anyone nearby.
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Blizzard conditions are expected on the coast of New England Thursday, and a blizzard warning has been issued from Cape Cod to the Maine coast until 1 a.m. Friday.
