A blizzard battered the Vineyard Saturday with high winds and heavy snow, causing power outages and ferry cancellations. On Sunday ferry service resumed as the Island started to dig out from the storm.
Residents and business owners were out with shovels Sunday morning, while snowplows continued to travel the roads.
The National Weather Service said Martha's Vineyard experienced blizzard conditions for about four hours, between 12:34 p.m. to 4:50 p.m. Blizzard conditions include visibility less than a quarter of a mile and winds of more than 35 miles per hour, sustained for three hours or more.
Blizzard conditions were also reported on Nantucket and in Chatham, Plymouth, and Marshfield.
Snow accumulation totals around the Island averaged at about a foot, according to totals reported to the weather service. Fifteen inches were reported in West Tisbury, 13 in Oak Bluffs, and 10 in Edgartown.
A wind gust of 59 miles per hour was reported in Vineyard Haven at 2:39 p.m. Saturday, the National Weather Service said.
There were power outages on the Island throughout the day Saturday. About 2,000 customers in Oak Bluffs were without power for a time Saturday evening, according to energy company Eversource, with other widespread outages throughout the day in Aquinnah and Edgartown.
By Sunday morning, fewer than 25 Vineyard households were reported to be without power.
Snow started falling and winds picked up on the Vineyard early Saturday morning, part of the winter storm that dumped large amounts of snow in the mid-Atlantic states. The snow continued early Sunday morning before petering out.
The Steamship Authority announced at about 4 p.m. Saturday that ferry service on the Vineyard and Nantucket was suspended for the rest of the day and night; service on Sunday is running on a trip-by-trip basis. While some early morning trips were cancelled, service resumed by mid-morning.
The Chappy ferry suspended service late Saturday morning until noon on Sunday
The Vineyard Transit Authority suspended service Saturday evening and announced delayed start times Sunday morning.
Earlier forecasts called for the area to be spared the worst of the storm, but the forecasts changed late Friday as the track of the storm shifted slightly. The Vineyard and Block Island were in the center path of the storm as it moves up the coast, weather forecasters said. Blizzard warnings were later extended to the rest of the Cape and Nantucket.
Astronomical high tides are also causing minor coastal flooding. A gale warning remained in effect until 1 p.m. Sunday. Mariners were advised that waves are expected to reach five to seven feet in coastal waters, and as high as 18 feet just offshore.
The town of Tisbury announced a parking ban from noon Saturday to 6 a.m. Sunday. Edgartown police asked people to use municipal lots downtown so plows could clear streets. Snowplows were out in force in most Island towns throughout the day Saturday.
The Edgartown Stop & Shop was bustling Saturday morning, with long lines and a crowded parking lot as shoppers stocked up for the storm.
Cancellations poured in for weekend activities.
In the midst of the storm Saturday afternoon, firefighters and emergency personnel responded to a garage fire in Edgartown. As responders battled tough weather conditions, along with the fire, the blaze was put out and no injuries were reported.
Steve Myrick and Mark Lovewell contributed reporting. To report cancellations, email news@vineyardgazette.com.
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