The winds have been strong all week, and the rain has started to come down as an early season nor’easter heads toward the Island and is expected to last through the rest of the weekend.
Several ferry lines have canceled trips for the weekend ahead of the storm; emergency officials have cautioned Islanders to prepare; and the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital has issued a statement that they plan to remain open through the rough weather.
The Steamship Authority issued a travel advisory through the weekend and started to cancel trips Friday; all ferries were canceled by Friday afternoon for the rest of the day. The Seastreak from New Bedford to Martha’s Vineyard cancelled trips from Sept. 23 through Sept. 26, and Hy-line Cruises cancelled all ferries through Saturday, Sept. 25.
Edgartown Police announced that the Chappy Ferry would stop at noon Friday and said officers are on hand for emergency services; the Chappaquiddick Community Center will remain open if the power goes out.
The Vineyard Transit Authority also expects route delays and detours due to flooding and road closures. (Visit vineyardtransit.com for updates.) And most, if not all, flights to and from the Island are canceled Friday.
A spokesperson for the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital told The Times in a statement that they plan to remain open and operational throughout the storm, unless specifically noted. They added that all hospital employees are considered essential.
“Martha’s Vineyard Hospital is monitoring the situation closely and has taken precautionary steps to ensure continued patient care, including preparations for potential power disruptions, transportation impacts, and changing road conditions,” the statement reads. “Patients with scheduled appointments will be contacted directly if any changes are necessary. Martha’s Vineyard Hospital will continue to monitor conditions throughout the storm and encourage patients, staff, and community members to use caution when traveling.”
The Trustees of Reservations closed Chappy Beaches at 7:30 pm Thursday, and Norton Point was also closed Thursday.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a high surf advisory, high wind warning, and coastal flood warning for the Island through Sunday. Meteorologists predict waves of six to 13 feet in the surf zone and up to a foot of flooding in low-lying areas near the shore.
“The water also may struggle to vacate the area after the high tides given persistent strong northeast winds,” the NWS advisories read. Severe beach erosion is also predicted due to the consistent winds, large waves, and multiple high tide cycles.
Downed trees and power lines are also expected due to the “long duration” of the winds and heavy rain and fully leafed trees could exacerbate the risk and lead to power outages, according to NWS and Eversource, the Island’s utility company.
Olessa Stepanova, communications director for Eversource, said that they’ve increased staffing and brought in tree and line crews to southeastern Massachusetts and the Cape and islands, where they expect the most impact.
“We’ve sent additional line and tree crews to Martha’s Vineyard ahead of the storm. We’re also bringing in additional contractor crews, preparing damage assessment teams, and coordinating with municipalities,” Stepanova said.
Stepanova added that they expect this storm’s impacts to be prolonged. “Strong winds could bring down trees or limbs onto electric lines and equipment, causing outages, while flooding and blocked roads could make it harder for crews to reach areas needing repairs,” she said.
If a customer loses power, Eversource warns to stay clear of flooded areas and downed wires, and report any fallen wires to 911. Customers can also report outages at eversource.com or at 800-592-200.
The ISO New England, nonprofit corporation that manages the grid for the six New England states, doesn’t expect a spike in demand over the weekend due to the storm, and Mary Cate Colapietro, spokesperson for the ISO, said that most impact would be seen on the local distribution system, like poles and wires.
The NWS forecasts a northeast wind 26 to 28 mph with gusts as high as 45 mph Friday as well as a quarter or half an inch of rain, mainly after 3 pm. Forecasts predict Friday night the wind increases to 30 to 32 mph with gusts as high as 60 mph.
Rain between one and two inches and thunderstorms are forecast for the day Saturday as well as a northeast wind 28 to 32 mph with gusts as high as 65 mph. The wind is predicted to subside only slightly Saturday night with a northeast wind 24 to 26 mph and gusts as high as 50 mph. Several thunderstorms are forecast Saturday night that could produce heavy rainfall.
There is rain and thunderstorms also forecast for Sunday as well as a northeast wind 17 to 20 mph with gusts as high as 55 mph.
Caitlyn Mensch, a spokesperson for NWS, said that the worst of the storm is expected Friday night through early Sunday morning with high gusts and periods of heavy rain. The storm, she said, should start to let up Sunday afternoon and night and into Monday.
In a social media post Friday, Dukes County Emergency Management Association and other public safety agencies said they “will continue monitoring conditions and provide updates as needed.” Any downed trees or road hazards should be reported to the Dukes County Sheriff’s Office at 508-693-1212.
Several businesses have announced closures for at least Saturday, including Martha’s Vineyard Medical, Island Health Care, Vineyard Haven Public Library, Oak Bluffs Public Library, the Red House, and Vineyard Preservation Society, Island Grown Initiative’s Island Food Pantry, among many others. The Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby also rescheduled “Bluefish Saturday” from Sept. 26 to Oct. 4, and a social media post said that the Derby may be temporarily suspended and weigh-in closed due to weather.
