Tropical Storm Isaias: Massachusetts under a Tropical Storm Watch
Tropical storm force wind gusts are expected to descend upon Massachusetts and across New England on Tuesday as Tropical Storm Isaias barrels up the East Coast, potentially leading to flooding, downed trees and power outages for the region.
The Bay State is under a Tropical Storm Watch, and southern Connecticut along the shore is under a Tropical Storm Warning.
Meteorologists predict that Isaias will impact the region later on Tuesday, roughly over a six-hour period.
“The earliest possible time for tropical storm force winds for our area is by midday Tuesday, but the most likely time is Tuesday afternoon into evening when it will be the height of the system for our area,” said National Weather Service meteorologist Rodney Chai, who’s based in the Norton office.
Wind gusts could be in the 40 to 50 mph range, with 60 mph gusts in isolated areas.
“The concern with those winds is downed trees and power outages,” Chai said.
The heaviest rain is expected for the western part of Massachusetts, with 2 to 4 inches of rain in the Berkshires — and 6 inches in localized areas is possible. Eastern Massachusetts could see about 1 inch of rain.
There’s also a high risk of rip currents at south-facing beaches, and minor coastal flooding. Isolated tornadoes are also possible.
Eversource Energy said it’s closely monitoring the track of the storm, and the company’s line and tree crews are ready to respond to any damage or outages.
“With many customers still working remotely during this challenging time, we recognize how important it is to have reliable power,” Eversource Vice President of Electric Operations Doug Foley said in a statement.
“Working under the challenging conditions related to the pandemic, our crews are positioned around the state and ready to respond to any damage or outages caused by Tropical Storm Isaias. Our team will work around-the-clock to restore power as quickly and safely as possible — yet some restorations may take longer as we work to ensure the safety of our employees and customers.”
The American Red Cross of Massachusetts tweeted, “With #HurricaneIsaias2020 forecasted to impact New England with rain and wind, now is a good time to review your family’s preparedness plan and kit.”
These supplies include gallons of water, non-perishable food, a manual can opener, a flashlight, a battery-powered radio, extra batteries, a first-aid kit, medications and sanitation items.
from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/2XrewW5
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