Coastal communities brace for anticipated high winds, flooding

NEWBURYPORT, Mass. — Ahead of Saturday’s expected powerful nor’easter, coastal communities across Massachusetts are preparing for the storm.

Plum Island, which often floods during big storms, could see wind gusts up to 60 miles per hour, according to the National Weather Service.

Large waves, dangerous surf, erosion, and flooding are other concerns weather experts say are possible for Saturday’s storm.

“Everyone on Old Point road down here a lot of them will get flooded out they’ve already put their pumps on in their basements if they have them,” said Jim Slane, a Plum Island resident of 23 years.

Newburyport plans to finalize storm preparations Friday morning ahead of Saturday’s nor’easter, according to Mayor Sean Reardon.

“We have already shut off utilities at two homes on the island in preparation for the storm and built up the sand around the stone structure, constructed in October along with the coir bags,” Reardon said.

The area of 69th Street to 77th Street is the greatest area of concern for flooding, Reardon added.

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