Massachusetts and its neighboring states are in the dark today, with fierce winds and punishing rains, leaving almost 120,000 people without power in the Bay State alone. As per the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency's Power Outage Tracker, the figure stood at 117,736 as of Monday morning. Boston 25 News reports that a multitude of cities, including Weymouth, Quincy, and Boston, are among the worst hit. Bringing traffic to a standstill, Boston's Logan Airport was also grounded due to the disruptive wind, with gusts potentially reaching 70 mph in some areas.
Not just Massachusetts, but New Hampshire, Connecticut, Maine, Rhode Island, and Vermont also count their losses, with tens of thousands experiencing power outages. The Granite State itself recorded over 50,000 power outages, menacing residents with the threat of extended darkness, according to the leading utilities. Already plaguing Monday morning's commute, the storm brought strong winds and unwelcome floods, making for a treacherous start to the week across New England. NBC Boston adds further detail on the regional havoc wreaked by nature's ferocity, with nearly 85,000 in Connecticut and over 22,000 in Rhode Island left groping for candles and flashlights.
Officials in New Hampshire are cautioning residents to steer clear of downed power lines and avoid driving through floodwaters. "Keep you and your family safe if you lose power," New Hampshire Department of Safety's Robert Buxton advised in a statement obtained by NBC Boston. Words of prudence were echoed by Gov. Chris Sununu, who urged, "Respect barriers and stay safe by avoiding flooded roadways. Give hard-working crews plenty of space to do their jobs as they restore power and clear debris from roads."
As the tempest refuses to abate, the National Weather Service has issued high-wind warnings for several Massachusetts counties, including Suffolk and Barnstable. Forecasters warn that even after the torrential rains subside, rivers are expected to continue rising into Tuesday. With flood watches declared in multiple counties, residents are advised to batten down the hatches and prepare for prolonged power outages and potential water damage. The storm's impact stretches far, with its fingers touching tens of thousands of lives, turning the daily rhythm into the chaotic dance of the weather's unpredictable tune.
