A Rainy Night In the Forecast As Earl Churns To The East

Occasional downpours and overcast skies moved into Marblehead this afternoon while a substantially weakened Earl creeps closer to the coast.

Forecasters predict the heaviest of the storm will be over the North Shore from midnight to 2 a.m. with tropical storm-like wind gusts and driving rains. National Weather Service officials say the now-Category 1 hurricane will come 50 to 100 miles south and east of Nantucket tonight.

Trees and power lines could come down from the wind and flooded streets are possible. Waves and rip currents remain a concern though officials did not expect problems Friday. High tide is just after 7 p.m. Friday. 

Earlier Friday, the town urged residents to clean out storm drains of leaves and debris to prevent flooding. 

Also, the Pleasant and School Street intersection has been looked at and Water and Sewer crews hope it does not flood like it has in last week's Nor'easter.