A powerful winter storm lashed the Vineyard Thursday with rain, sleet, high winds, and coastal flooding. By Friday morning the storm had moved out, leaving gusty winds and bitter cold in its wake.
Vineyard schools will open two hours late Friday. Ferry service had resumed on a trip-by-trip basis.
The National Weather Service said the Island was at risk for a flash freeze, with temperatures expected to fall rapidly during the night. Extremely cold weather is expected from Friday into Sunday.
The Division of Marine Fisheries has ordered the closure until further notice of all shellfish areas after the coastal flooding Thursday. The Vineyard received 1.43 inches of rain and melted precipitation.
On Thursday Islanders hunkered down all day as the storm whipped the ocean into giant whitecaps. Coastal areas were flooded and roads closed as the fast-moving storm lashed most of New England. Parts of Massachusetts received more than a foot of snow, but on the Vineyard the main story was coastal flooding. Many roads, including Beach Road from Vineyard Haven to Edgartown and Dock street in Edgartown, were submerged in seawater and impassable.
By noon Thursday the Steamship Authority suspended all ferry service to the Vineyard for the day. Schools were closed.
The Chappy ferry did not run for most of the day Thursday due to high winds, tides, and ice. Service resumed at about 9 p.m.
Beach Road was closed from Five Corners in Vineyard Haven to Edgartown due to storm washover, including Sea View avenue and Lake avenue by the Oak Bluffs Harbor. Lagoon Pond Road in Vineyard Haven was also closed because of washover, as was East Chop Drive in Oak Bluffs and Dock street in Edgartown.
Oak Bluffs Harbor was completely frozen over Wednesday. On Thursday the ice broke into slush and the water level rose to within a foot of the sea wall.
Throughout the day Thursday the barometric pressure fell dramatically to below 29.
The Vineyard Transit Authority was running most routes. Route 13 was being detoured because Beach Road was closed, and early Thursday afternoon service for route 4 was suspended.
Town offices, libraries and most government buildings are closed, including the Edgartown courthouse.
According to the National Weather Service, a wind gust of 67 miles per hour was recorded Thursday afternoon in Aquinnah, and nine-foot waves were observed off Aquinnah.
Dukes County emergency managers monitored the storm, and warned that Friday could bring dangerous, icy driving and walking conditions.
The winter storm comes on the heels of a prolonged stretch of bitter cold that has seen no letup since before Christmas. Bitterly cold temperatures are expected to return over the weekend, with temperatures in the teens and a wind chill well below zero.
Island clergy, EMS and other volunteers have organized warm places for people seeking shelter. The list follows.
Warming Shelters
Oak Bluffs fire station, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Oak Bluffs Library, normal operating hours.
Chilmark Community Center and town hall, normal business hours.
Good Shepherd Parish Hall, 55 School street, Oak Bluffs, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Houses of Grace Overnight Shelters
Wednesday: St. Augustine Church, 56 Franklin Street, Vineyard Haven 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Thursday: Edgartown Federated Church Parish Hall, 45 South Summer street, Edgartown, 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Friday: St. Andrew’s Parish House basement, 51 Winter street, Edgartown 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Saturday: St. Andrew’s Parish House basement, 51 Winter street, Edgartown 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Sunday: St. Andrew’s Parish House basement, 51 Winter street, Edgartown 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Monday: Edgartown Federated Church Parish Hall, 45 South Summer street, Edgartown, 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Tuesday: St. Andrew’s Parish House basement, 51 Winter street, Edgartown 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Home page picture by Maria Thibodeau.
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