Tropical Storm Elsa Cuts Power At Over 7,000 Barnstable Homes

BARNSTABLE, MA — Barnstable is feeling much of the brunt of Tropical Storm Elsa, with more than 7,000 Eversource customers losing power.

As of 1:45 p.m., 7,115 Barnstable homes and business are in the dark, according to the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency. That's 23 percent of the entire town's Eversource Customers.

Residents should not to call 911 if they lose power. Instead, call Eversource at 1-800-592-2000 to report downed wires. Eversource opened its Emergency Operations Center in Yarmouth Friday morning and is prepared to respond to power outages in the region.

Tropical Storm Elsa is moving from south to north, and Barnstable County officials say its effects should be felt on Cape Cod and the Islands until around 3 p.m., Friday. Winds are expected to reach 50-55 mph and could reach 65 mph in some areas on the Cape. The region is also expected to get 2-4 inches of rain.

Risk of Flash Flooding

There is a slight risk of flash flooding on Cape Cod, according to the National Weather Service. The National Weather Service reported there's a 10-20 percent chance of flash flooding on Cape Cod, since 2-4 inches of rain could fall in a very short period of time.

Drivers should take extra care with potentially flooded streets, and never attempt to drive through water in the road. Instead, turn around and seek an alternate route.

High Seas

Along with heavy rain, the tropical storm kicked up dangerously high surf along Cape Cod's coast. Officials with the Steamship Authority said service will likely be affected Friday morning, into mid-afternoon. Customers should check their departure time on the Steamship Authority's website.