Over 250K Without Power In MA With Strong Winds, Flooding Ahead

MASSACHUSETTS — Heavy rains and strong winds have already caused problems from Cape Cod to western Massachusetts and almost everywhere in between on Monday morning.

At the BlueHill Observatory in Milton, wind gusts reached 76 mph on Monday morning, matching a record peak gust for the date originally set in 1978, according to Chief Observer Matt Douglas.

A flood watch, wind advisory and flood warning are in effect for parts of the state, with the heaviest winds expected on Cape Cod this morning.

The watch is in effect until 7 p.m. for areas of the state including Middlesex, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, Bristol and Worcester Counties.

A flood warning is in effect until noon for the West Deerfield River at West Deerfield, which affects Franklin County, and the Deerfield River at Charlemont, which affects the Berkshire and Franklin Counties.

On Cape Cod and areas of coastal Massachusetts, a storm warning is also in effect until 7 p.m. The National Weather Service said hazardous winds will cause hazardous seas that could capsize or damage vessels and reduce visibility.

This warning impacts the Cape Cod Bay, Nantucket Sound, Vineyard Sound, Buzzards Bay, Rhode Island Sound, Block Island Sound, Massachusetts Bay and Ipswich Bay.

11:55 a.m., the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency said as many as 261,000 customers were without power.

Officials from the office said the strongest winds in the state will be on Cape Cod this morning into the early afternoon, but will diminish in the hours after midday.

A high wind warning in in effect on Cape Cod until 7 p.m. on Monday.

Read more: Strong Wind, Heavy Rain Bring Problems To Cape Cod

Power outages are also affecting areas away from the coasts, with Framingham having to cancel classes at one school in the city.

Read more: Framingham Thayer Campus Closed Due To Power Outage