Communities across MA readying for arrival of Henri

Cape Cod

The Cape is already bracing for some of the more severe impacts this weekend. Some tourists are changing their plans and either cutting their vacations short or extending them by a few days.

“We’re going to head home a day early because of the storm coming,” said Charlie Norman, a vacationer in Harwichport.

“I feel for the business owners as well because everything’s bustling here now, and they’re set up for outdoor seating,” said his wife, Denise Norman. “They’re going to have to close up shop. They’re going to lose business.”

Others said they were expecting heavy Cape traffic on Route 6 Saturday.

“We’re heading back tomorrow. But we’re going to hang out at the National Seashore because the waves are going to be cool,” said Lisa McLellan.

Carrie Hillman, a representative with WeNeedAVacation.Com told Boston 25 News on Friday that they are already seeing some people cancel their trips.

“We’re really recommending that homeowners get in touch with renters before they come or ask them if they’re interested in leaving early,” she said. “Notifying them about what to do if the power goes out, or if the WIFI goes down…”

Hillman added that people should also secure items like umbrellas and barbecues in their yards.

“Just be prepared for all scenarios. We really don’t know what will happen, but just watch the weather closely, keep an eye on what’s happening, watch the news,” she said.

Plymouth

Charlie’s Hardware Store on Court Street in Plymouth is now in its 55th year. From the Blizzard of ‘78 to Hurricane Bob and everything in between, they’ve seen a lot of storms. And they are ready for Henri and for whatever their customers will need.

They are not surprised that, so far, it’s business as usual.

“It’s too soon, it’s just a little too soon,” owner Charile Van Dini said. “They wait till the last minute. Saturday will be busy. They’ll be looking for lamp oil, propane, batteries, wicks.”

But across town, it’s a much different story. The Plymouth Town Boat Ramp is a busy place. News that Henri is knocking on the door has boat owners springing into action, getting their boats out of the water.

“[Our boat is] out at Hobb’s Hole, it’s a little more weather. It’s outside the breakwater. So, better off to bring it in than leave it out there. I don’t want it to get damaged.” Rob Nocher of Kingston said.

The Plymouth Harbormaster has advised boaters to get their boats out of the water. At the Town Boat Ramp all day Thursday and Friday, boat owners lined up in the parking lot with their boat trailers.

When it was their turn, the boat owners carefully backed their trucks into place at the water’s edge while a friend or relative piloted the boat towards shore. It’s a carefully choreographed dance, but it’s one these boat owners don’t seem to mind.

“At work, one of my associates told me there was going to bad weather, so over lunchtime, we are getting the boat out, and [we’ll] make it work,” said Arthur Blasberg of Plymouth.

“We want to get it out. It’s moored in front of the house. We want to get it out before the storm. It gets pretty bad over there,” said Russ Weymouth of Plymouth.

The boats removed from Plymouth Harbor will be safe from whatever Henri might bring. And best of all for these boaters, many of these vessels could be back in the water in just a few days.

“The last bunch of summers, September has been good,” said Rob Nocher.

The summer of 2021 still has some life.

Further up the South Shore

Henri is looming offshore and as it decides what to do boats are moving to safer ground.

Justin Silvia pulled his 42-footer.

“Just being cautious with the weather and stuff,” Silvia said.

John “Zach” Hobson said Green Harbor Marina pulled nearly 10 boats during Friday’s high tide.

“There is a chance the insurance companies will cover the coast of the haul because of the storm,” Hobson said.

Crews said removing larger boats is tricky because of the tides.

“We only have about a four-, three-and-a-half-hour window to haul boats every day,” Hobson said. “If we have to haul at night, we will do some night hauling if we have to. We try to avoid that because it is a little more tricky at night.”

Marshfield Harbormaster Mike DiMeo is urging mariners to seriously consider taking extra precautions.

“You don’t even really have to have a direct hit. A glancing blow, [which] is what we will probably get, is enough to cause complications, downed trees, downed wires, flooding,” DiMeo said.

The Harbormaster said most of the owners have been making the right choice, which can help reduce potential problems for everyone.

“To me it reduces a potential hazard, a boat sinking, leaking oil or fuel into the harbor and the waters. So you are removing a hazard from the waterway,” DiMeo said.

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