Barnstable County Feeling Initial Effects of Winter Storm Riley
- National Weather Service high-wind warning in effect from 10 a.m. Friday to 10 a.m. Saturday with wind gusts potentially at hurricane force
- Major/severe coastal flooding Friday and Saturday over at least 3 tide cycles starting with Friday’s midday tide and peaking on Saturday afternoon
- Heavy rain between 3 to 4 inches possible causing flooding in poor drainage areas
- Citizens should be prepared for power outages
- The Barnstable County Multi-Agency Coordination Center (MACC) was activated at 6 a.m. Friday
BARNSTABLE (MA) March 2, 2018 – The Barnstable County Regional Emergency Planning Committee (BCREPC) held a conference call at 10 a.m. March 2, 2018, to assess the current and future effects of Storm Riley.
The major threats are winds gusting to hurricane force and tidal surge over multiple tide cycles from Friday midday until Saturday midday. Erosion along the outer Cape and into Cape Cod Bay is expected to be significant. Any areas that were inundated during the January storm are expected to be inundated again. Anyone living in these threatened areas is strongly advised to seek shelter inland.
Citizens are advised to stay indoors and off the roads during the height of the storm and avoid downed limbs and power lines.
Electric utility Eversource has prestaged tree and line crews on the Cape ahead of the storm.
The BCREPC Multi-Agency Coordination Center (MACC) was activated at 6 a.m. Friday by the Barnstable County All Hazards Incident Management Team.
No Regional Emergency Shelter System activation is planned at this time, but the Shelter System plan is in place and ready for activation if necessary. Shelter partner agencies have been asked to monitor the situation.