Wenham Police Department would like to remind everyone to be aware of the impending weather tomorrow and be prepared for the Strong Winds and Heavy Rainfall predicted.
Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency
MASSACHUSETTS EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
SITUATIONAL AWARENESS STATEMENT
DATE: December 20, 2018
TIME: 1:00 PM
SUBJECT: Heavy Rainfall/Flooding, Strong Winds, and Coastal Flooding Tonight/Tomorrow
Situation
A storm system will impact the New England region starting tonight through tomorrow night. The primary issues associated with this storm will be heavy rainfall, strong winds, minor riverine flooding, and a risk for minor coastal flooding, especially along the south coast.
Rain will overspread the region late tonight, and winds will begin to increase. Rain and modest wind gusts will impact the morning commute Friday; however the strongest winds and heaviest rainfall are expected to occur during the day Friday and into Friday evening, impacting the evening commute.
Widespread rainfall totals of 1.5 to 3 inches are forecast with amounts of up to 4 inches possible along the eastern slopes of the Berkshires. Winds gusting to 35-45 MPH are likely across the region on Friday, and gusts of up to 55 MPH are possible over eastern, southeastern Massachusetts and the Cape and Islands.
The astronomical tide is highest early Friday morning; however winds and surge will be limited at that time. The late afternoon/evening tide is lower, but surge, seas, and winds will be stronger by that point, and may result in minor coastal flooding and scattered areas of beach erosion along the south coast and the Cape and Islands.
Minor river flooding is possible with a low probability moderate flooding for some of the smaller, faster-responding rivers like the North Nashua at Fitchburg and Hoosic near Williamstown.
Impacts:
· Heavy rain may result in roadway flooding and associated closures and flooding of urban/poor drainage areas.
· Some minor river flooding is possible, and may persist into the weekend where it occurs. There is a low probability of moderate flooding along smaller, faster-responding rivers such as the North Nashua and Hoosic Rivers.
· Wind gusts may cause loose objects to become airborne, as well as causing scattered tree damage, isolated power outages, and possible structure damage. The area most at risk is eastern Massachusetts, the Cape and Islands.
· Minor coastal flooding may cause beach erosion, inundation of vulnerable shore roads, and basement flooding of vulnerable structures around the time of high tide Friday afternoon/evening.
Online Resources:
For additional information and resources, visit:
Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency at www.mass.gov/mema
MEMA’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MassachusettsEMA
MEMA Twitter: @MassEMA
Federal Emergency Management Agency at www.fema.gov
National Weather Service Boston/Norton at www.weather.gov/boston
National Weather Service Albany, NY at www.weather.gov/albany
National Weather Service Weather Prediction Center: https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov
National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center: https://www.spc.noaa.gov/
Mass211 at www.mass211.org