MA Bomb Cyclone: 130K+ Without Power, Residents Saved From Floods

MASSACHUSETTS – Massachusetts is getting slammed by high winds, flooding and mass power outages Friday as a "bomb cyclone" bears down on the state. Winds surpassed 50 mph in the Boston area as early as 5:30 a.m. Friday morning and are projected to top 70 mph in the southeastern part of the state. The National Weather Service forecasts about 4-6 inches of rain in Plymouth County, Cape Cod and the Islands, and flooding is bearing down on some coastal areas.

The storm has forced the cancellation of over 400 flights in and out of Logan Airport, but perhaps its largest impact has been the over 100,000 power outages reported across the state as of 3 p.m.

Duxbury and Scituate ordered a voluntary evacuation of coastal residences in flood-prone regions Thursday afternoon. Flooding has already begun in Boston's Seaport neighborhood, where officials took steps Friday morning to avoid a repeat of the Jan. 4 storm that turned many roadways into rivers.

Falling trees proved hazardous in Woburn, where a woman was injured when she was hit by a falling tree, and Tewksbury, where the driver of a Jeep was hospitalized after it was hit by a tree. In Eastern Massachusetts, the strongest winds are expected Friday afternoon into Saturday morning. The rain is expected to continue through early Sunday.

See below for links to storm impacts across the state:

• Water Rescue In Duxbury Amid Historic Massachusetts Storm
• Residents Trapped, Rescued From Quincy Floods
• Over 2,000 In Quincy In The Dark; 50 Needed Rescue
• Multiple Streets Closed As High Tide Hits Salem
• Falmouth Storm: 600+ Lose Power; Roads Flooded
• Plymouth Power Outages Amid Storm
• Attleboro Power Outages: 1,200+ Affected By Storm
• WATCH: North Weymouth Hit By Significant Flooding
• WATCH: Massive High Tide Waves Strike Hull
• Nor'easter Floods Smith Beach; Roads Become Impassible
• 2,500+ In The Dark In Worcester County
• Watertown Police: Avoid Arsenal Street
• Power Outages In Newton, Tree Falls On House
• Sharon Power Outages: 2,500+ Affected By Storm
• Wind Picked Up Shopping Cart Cover Dropped On Car: Police
• Wind Downs Trees, Powerlines, And Tears A Roof Off In Arlington
• Milton Road Closures Due To Storm
• Over Half Of Norton Is Without Power

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker announced Thursday he has activated the National Guard to help with the storm, which is expected to be worse than the Jan. 4 storm that flooded coastal areas homes and destroyed cars parked near the water.

"We fully expect the next 48 hours to be particularly challenging along the coast," Baker said during a press conference Thursday afternoon. "People need to take this very seriously."

In an update shortly after 5 a.m. Friday morning, the NWS said much of the Massachusetts coast will see "moderate to major" flooding. Meanwhile "minor" flooding is expected in the southern part of the state.

The MBTA has already canceled ferry service for Friday and will run additional trains on the Commuter Rail Green Bush Line for riders who normally take the ferry.

The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation has closed all coastal beach reservations, parks, and parking areas, all campgrounds statewide, all agency operated ice rinks and the Cass Recreation Complex, and several parkways in the greater Boston area. Several flood-prone roadways have also been closed:

Photo of poles down via Watertown PD; Tree down photo by Newton Fire; collage via Patch