Martha’s Vineyard continued to experience scattered power outages, particularly up-Island late Sunday, as what became Tropical Storm Irene passed to the north of the Island.

Waves batter Moshup Beach on Sunday. — Alison Mead

At 5 p.m. part of State road near John’s Fish Market remained closed after power lines came down. Further up State Road, near the lower end of Lambert’s Cove Road also was blocked for a time late afternoon, after a tree broke power lines.

Large parts of the Island were experiencing disruption to cable service.

Sign warns visitors that Lucy Vincent Beach is closed. — Alison Mead

South shore beaches were seriously eroded by massive seas brought by the storm. Martina Mastromonaco, the Chilmark beach supervisor, said waves had cut through the access path and washed away the boardwalk to Lucy Vincent Beach, and had broken through into Chilmark Pond.

The park lot at Squibnocket was closed early in the day because waves were washing over it. Later, after the tide dropped, cars were being allowed in, but people were not being allowed to get out of them in case they were washed away.

Ms. Mastromonaco said she was concerned about further erosion at high tide on the south shore, around 7:30 tonight.

Heavy seas also made it around to the north side of the Island, battering jetties at Seven Gates Farm. Surfers were out in small but rideable waves in Lambert’s Cove.

Storm surge created new breaches on barrier beach at Edgartown Pond. — John H. Kennedy

Atlantic Drive in Edgartown was closed to traffic, as was Beach Road between Edgartown and Oak Bluffs.

The emergency shelter in Edgartown closed at 4 p.m. Other shelters were lightly attended.

Hurricane Irene proved less severe than originally forecast. There was little rain. This afternoon, most VTA buses were running, some stores remained open, and sightseers were out in force. South Beach attracted scores of people eager to see the Atlantic eating away at their Island.