Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey declared a state of emergency Friday as Hurricane Lee moves north toward New England and is expected to bring gusty winds, flooding and rough surf to Cape Cod and other parts of the coast.The declaration enables the state to get personnel and resources in place ahead of the storm and work with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide federal assistance for any needs that go beyond the state’s capacity. “Hurricane Lee is moving northward up the Atlantic. We are not expected to receive a direct hit. We are expected to experience rain, and in some instances heavy rain, and wind here in Massachusetts,” Healey said. “A tropical storm warning is in effect along the entire Massachusetts coast, with the most severe winds expected between midnight tonight and noon tomorrow.”Healey said up to 50 members of the Massachusetts National Guard who have the ability to operate high-water vehicles will be activated.The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency operations center in Framingham will be activated at 7 a.m., along with MEMA’s east regional centers in Franklin and Tewksbury. Residents were warned to take precautions, stay away from the water’s edge and be prepared for power outages. Info: Hurricane Preparedness Tips from MEMA | What to do when hurricane approaches”The utilities have already pre-staged. There are personnel and equipment right now that have been brought to Nantucket, the Vineyard and throughout the Cape. Their job is to be prepared to respond to any power outage as long as it is safe,” Healey said.MBTA ferry service and service on the Steamship Authority is being suspended following the Friday evening commute.On Thursday, Boston officials detailed how city departments have been preparing for the storm. Mayor Michell Wu said they are expecting the worst of Lee to miss Boston.”That being said, conditions are still anticipated to be similar to that of a nor’easter because the spread of the storm and the wind and the rain will extend far beyond the center of it, over and into the coast,” Wu said.Forecasters warned that a storm surge of up to 3 feet is possible, and winds in the region are expected to be between 20 and 30 mph, with gusts up to 45 mph, powerful enough to blow objects around or knock down some trees or limbs.Lee’s long development has given utility crews time to prepare. National Grid said brought in extra crews from as far away as Delaware and New Jersey.Boat owners are pulling their vessels out of the water, and some towns on the Cape are getting ready with sandbags in case heavy rains come in with the storm.
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey declared a state of emergency Friday as Hurricane Lee moves north toward New England and is expected to bring gusty winds, flooding and rough surf to Cape Cod and other parts of the coast.
The declaration enables the state to get personnel and resources in place ahead of the storm and work with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide federal assistance for any needs that go beyond the state’s capacity.
“Hurricane Lee is moving northward up the Atlantic. We are not expected to receive a direct hit. We are expected to experience rain, and in some instances heavy rain, and wind here in Massachusetts,” Healey said. “A tropical storm warning is in effect along the entire Massachusetts coast, with the most severe winds expected between midnight tonight and noon tomorrow.”
Healey said up to 50 members of the Massachusetts National Guard who have the ability to operate high-water vehicles will be activated.
The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency operations center in Framingham will be activated at 7 a.m., along with MEMA’s east regional centers in Franklin and Tewksbury.
Residents were warned to take precautions, stay away from the water’s edge and be prepared for power outages.
Info: Hurricane Preparedness Tips from MEMA | What to do when hurricane approaches
“The utilities have already pre-staged. There are personnel and equipment right now that have been brought to Nantucket, the Vineyard and throughout the Cape. Their job is to be prepared to respond to any power outage as long as it is safe,” Healey said.
MBTA ferry service and service on the Steamship Authority is being suspended following the Friday evening commute.
On Thursday, Boston officials detailed how city departments have been preparing for the storm. Mayor Michell Wu said they are expecting the worst of Lee to miss Boston.
“That being said, conditions are still anticipated to be similar to that of a nor’easter because the spread of the storm and the wind and the rain will extend far beyond the center of it, over and into the coast,” Wu said.
Forecasters warned that a storm surge of up to 3 feet is possible, and winds in the region are expected to be between 20 and 30 mph, with gusts up to 45 mph, powerful enough to blow objects around or knock down some trees or limbs.
Lee’s long development has given utility crews time to prepare. National Grid said brought in extra crews from as far away as Delaware and New Jersey.
Boat owners are pulling their vessels out of the water, and some towns on the Cape are getting ready with sandbags in case heavy rains come in with the storm.