North Shore Braces For Tropical Storm Elsa Impact Friday Morning

MARBLEHEAD, MA — As the North Shore braces for the arrival of Tropical Storm Elsa early Friday morning, officials are asking residents to do their part to mitigate the threat of flash floods and property destruction or other emergencies along the immediate coast.

For Marblehead Harbormaster Mark Souza, that means urging residents to make sure to firmly secure any small boats, canoes and kayaks along the shore to avoid both the risk of losing them to the storm or causing an alarming situation if a vessel gets swept out to sea.

"Tie down any loose gear," Souza told Patch Wednesday afternoon. "That's a big one. Especially stuff that's on land like a kayak or paddleboard. Those tend to get blown away easily, and if they are out on the water, we get called for a potential person in the water."

Souza said crews are then forced to respond in the elements because of the fear that it could mean a boater capsized in the storm.

"We'll get called to go into that weather," he confirmed. "That's really the big one."

Souza said because of the nature of the Marblehead harbor he is not expecting the wind to be the biggest concern with Elsa coming up from the south — the harbor is much more susceptible to damage from a winter nor'easter — but said that just because Elsa is forecast as a marginal tropical storm when the eye of the storm heads right over Eastern Massachusetts early Friday morning not to take it lightly.

The last tropical storm warning issued in New England came last summer with Isaias, which ended up causing minimal rain and damage. The last tropical storm to hit the state was Hanna in 2008.

The two biggest hurricane-related storms to ravage the region in recent decades were not even technically tropical storms by the time they reached the New England waters. Superstorm Sandy caused massive rain and flooding in 2012 when it mixed with cooler winds and delivered punishing storm surges to New York, New Jersey and parts of New England, while the so-called "Perfect Storm" in 1991 was the result of Hurricane Grace converging with a nor’easter and a coastal front.

"It's just one of those things where you can be lulled into a small sense of security," Souza said. "These storms in New England — you can't take them lightly because they easily stall and make a great impact on the ocean."

[830 AM] Elsa is expected to pass near/over southeast New England on Friday as a tropical storm. Flash flooding is possible across much of SNE due to heavy rainfall. Damaging winds & power outages are possible where Tropical Storm Warnings are issued #MAwx #RIwx #CTwx pic.twitter.com/NqqdWh2rot
— NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) July 8, 2021

Souza's other advice for those with craft in the water is to make sure batteries are charged on the boats, that pennant lines are in good shape so they don't fray and break and that bilge pumps are working.

He said the gangways at Tucker's Wharf as well State Street will be lifted Thursday night to help prevent any damage.

With sustained winds forecast between 20 and 30 mph — and gusts to 45 mph — the biggest threat from Elsa could be flooding.

While wind is definitely going to be a factor with Elsa, we've been strongly messaging that flooding rains will be the primary threat. With that said, just a friendly reminder to not drive through flooded roads. Turn around don't drown! pic.twitter.com/Jt3vySIDUR
— NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) July 8, 2021

The Danvers Department of Public Works sent out a request to residents on Thursday to check nearby storm drains and remove any debris or trash blocking them to lessen the risk of a flash flood.

Salem sent out a similar call to action.

"In anticipation of tomorrow's forecasted heavy rains and strong winds, please take some time to clear the catch basins in front of your residence, place of business, or any known low spots that may have drained poorly in past storms," the city said. "Please place cleared debris in a location that will not allow it to wash back to the catch basin during the storm.

"In addition, please secure or bring inside any outdoor furniture or other objects that might present a hazard in high winds."

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(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)

More Patch Coverage: Tropical Storm Elsa Bringing Heavy Rain, Wind To MA