5K Without Power In Salem, Swampscott Soon After Tuesday Storm

UPDATED: 9:30 p.m.

SALEM, MA — A severe thunder and lightning storm caused drenching rains and knocked out power to more than 5,000 Salem and Swampscott residents late Tuesday afternoon.

According to the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, the two North Shore communities accounted for more than half of the state's 9,933 residences without power as of 6:30 p.m.

Swampscott reported more than 50 percent of its residents without power with 3,205 customers affected, while Salem had 10 percent of its residents without power at 2,049 residences.

By 7:45, MEMA reported most of Swampscott was back with power and only 213 residences (3 percent) remained out. Salem was slower to get power back with more than 2,000 still without electricity at that time.

Salem still had 834 of the state's 3,630 customers without power as of 9:30 p.m. There were also reports of trees down and brief flooding issues in Salem.

The National Weather Service also called for a Special Marine Warning for the waters off Swampscott, Marblehead and Ipswich Bay through early Tuesday night.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch was issued Tuesday for the entire state up until 8 p.m.

(If you witness storm damage on the North Shore, and it is safe to take photos, send them to Patch for publication at scott.souza@patch.com.)