High Winds, Heavy Snow Causing Power Outages

With the brunt of the predicted blizzard coming ashore, the Lower Cape was raked by spotty power outages, downed trees and traffic accidents in the early hours Monday.

Eversource is reporting widespread outages across the Lower Cape as of 11:20 Monday morning. There are 7,655 Eversource customers (93 percent) without power in Chatham; 8,708 customers (97 percent) without power in Brewster; 8,569 customers (75.6 percent) without power in Harwich; and 6,038 customers (95 percent)  powerless in Orleans.

Report a power outage to Eversource by calling (800) 592-2000 or texting “OUT” to 23129.

There are multiple large trees blocking many area roads. In West Harwich, the canopy over the Sav-On gas station has reportedly collapsed, according to public safety broadcasts. Conditions are extremely dangerous as of 9 a.m.

In Brewster, crews were responding to a report of a water department employee trapped in a pickup truck, surrounded by downed trees and wires, according to public safety broadcasts.

On Monday afternoon, Gov. Maura Healey issued an immediate ban on non-essential motor vehicle travel in Barnstable, Bristol and Plymouth counties — encompassing the entire South Coast of Massachusetts. Exemptions to the ban include public safety and medical personnel, as well as utility vehicles and contracted workers assisting utility companies. Violators could face fines of $500.

“This is a serious storm, and there are dangerous road conditions out there, especially on the South Coast. We have reports of abandoned and stuck cars on the roads, and tow trucks are having difficulty getting to them,” Healey said. “While this travel ban is limited to the South Coast, we urge everyone across the state to stay off the roads for your safety and for the safety of plow drivers and emergency officials who are trying to do their jobs. Thank you to everyone who has stayed home and to those who are doing this hard work during extremely challenging conditions.”

On Sunday afternoon, officials announced that the county would be opening the regional shelter at Nauset Regional High School (100 Cable Rd., Eastham) at 6 p.m. Sunday. The facility will provide food and overnight accommodations to people in need. People using the shelter are urged to bring necessary medications, important documents, phone chargers, personal hygiene items, blankets or pillows, snacks and water, along with necessary medical equipment. Anyone needing transportation to the shelter should call the business line of their police department. Call 911 only in an emergency.

With up to 18 inches of heavy, wet snowfall forecast for some areas, along with winds gusting to 70 mph, white-out conditions are possible for a time, forecasters say.

The Barnstable County Regional Emergency Planning Committee is encouraging residents to prepare and offered the following tips:

➡️ Avoid unnecessary travel during peak storm conditions Monday
➡️ Prepare for potential multi-day power outages
➡️ Charge phones and essential devices
➡️ Ensure you have adequate food, water, medications, and pet supplies
➡️ Check generators for safe outdoor operation only
➡️ Secure outdoor items ahead of strong winds
➡️ Check on older adults and vulnerable neighbors

Chatham will operate a personal care site at the Community Center, 702 Main St., on Monday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. where residents can come to warm up or charge devices. Meals will not be served, and the center will not be open overnight. For more information, or to arrange transport to the personal care site, call 508-945-5191. 

At mid-afternoon Monday, just one person had stopped by the community center, according to Corey Barker of the Community Emergency Response Team, a volunteer emergency response group covering Chatham, Brewster, Orleans and Harwich. That number was expected to increase though as the storm continued and people began losing power in their devices — thus needing a place to "recharge yourself and your batteries," Barker said.

Those at the Chatham Community Center personal care site at closing time that still need a place to stay will be transferred to the regional shelter at Nauset. The personal care site will reopen Tuesday from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m.

A warming center providing similar services will be opened at Orleans Town Hall on Tuesday, Feb. 24 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Food will not be served, and there will be no overnight accommodations.

Thanks to high astronomic tides, there is a likelihood of minor to moderate coastal flooding at times of high tide Monday. Flooding is likely in the usual vulnerable spots, officials say. Tavano said flooding is expected in several flood-prone areas, and for those who live in those areas, “You may want to consider relocating on Sunday," he said.

"This is an all-hands-on-deck response. Crews will be monitoring conditions, clearing priority routes, and tracking damage," an announcement from the town of Orleans reads. "DPW will drop plows as soon as possible and work continuously to stay ahead of snowfall. Residents must stay off the roads during the storm so crews can safely clear routes for emergency vehicles."

Send any cancellations to stormcenter@capecodchronicle.com, along with any storm photos you can safely take.

Cancellations and Notices

This story was updated Monday at 3 p.m.  If updates become impossible, check The Chronicle's Facebook and Instagram accounts for news.