As the clock struck midnight, the number of customers left in the dark dwindled to under 9,500, a significant drop from the 24,000 without power earlier in the evening, as reported by the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency. The woes extended beyond mere power outages, with the MBTA Commuter Rail encountering its own set of troubles. A downed catenary wire at Back Bay, crucial for powering the trains to and from Boston, resulted in substantial delays, compounded by a disabled Amtrak train, according to transit authorities.
Passengers on the Framingham/Worcester, Needham, Franklin/Foxboro Line, and Providence/Stoughton Line were advised to brace for extensive delays in both directions due to the catenary wire mishap in the Back Bay vicinity, as per an announcement from the MBTA Commuter Rail. The situation was dire, with all trains forced to operate on a single track at Back Bay, further exacerbating the travel woes of commuters.
Meanwhile, chaos ensued near Four Corners/Geneva Station in Boston when a fallen tree led to the cancellation of at least two trains on the Fairmount Line, the MBTA confirmed. The disruptive effects rippled through the schedule, impacting travelers relying on public transportation.
In Taunton, fire officials were kept on their toes as a section of a roof on Main Street collapsed, prompting swift action to prevent further damage from the relentless winds. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries in this incident, highlighting the importance of vigilant emergency response efforts during such adverse weather conditions.
Anticipation loomed over the possibility of localized flooding, with a flood watch in place for specific regions of central and western Massachusetts as well as southern New Hampshire until the following morning. The impending threat of rising water levels added another layer of concern for residents and authorities alike, necessitating preparedness to mitigate potential risks.
The chaos extended to the skies, with inbound flights at Boston’s Logan airport facing delays averaging over two hours, leading to the cancellation of two dozen flights, according to data from FlightAware. The ripple effect of the storm reverberated through the transportation sector, disrupting travel plans and testing the resilience of both passengers and airline personnel amidst the turbulent weather conditions.
Further complicating travel arrangements, the Steamship Authority announced the cancellation of ferries to and from Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard, attributing the decision to the adverse weather conditions and heavy winds. The disruption in maritime services added to the challenges faced by travelers seeking to navigate through the storm’s impact on various modes of transportation.
As the night unfolded, the region grappled with a convergence of challenges brought forth by the relentless storm, underscoring the importance of swift response and effective communication in managing the disruptions caused by nature’s unpredictable force. Residents and commuters braced themselves for the aftermath, hopeful for respite as the authorities worked tirelessly to restore normalcy amidst the chaos unleashed by the elements.
