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Cape & Islands Respond to Nor’easter Storm 

Media Alert 003:  

Information from the Barnstable County Emergency Planning Committee (BCREPC)     

Cape & Islands Respond to Nor’easter Storm 

BCREPC assessed multi-day storm event and widespread impact at 11:00 AM 

October 27, 2021 (Barnstable, MA) – The Barnstable County Regional Emergency Planning Committee (BCREPC), comprised of state, county, and local officials, first responders, emergency managers, elected officials, and other regional partners, met for the third time this morning on a remote call to assess widespread power outages and damage at a result of the nor’easter storm that continues to impact Cape Cod and the Islands. The next meeting will take place at 4:30 PM today.

OVERVIEW OF STORM  

There is currently widespread damage and power outages across the region; several towns reported 80-90 MPH winds overnight.

    • Wind gusts of 50-60 mph are predicted to continue through the afternoon and are expected to decrease to 45-50 MPH gusts during the late afternoon and early evening.
    • 30-40 MPH gusts will continue during the nighttime hours.
    • The possibility of low to high-end moderate coastal flooding remains as we approach the afternoon high tide, predominantly in Cape Cod Bay.

UTILITIES RESPOND TO STORM

    • Eversource reports 152,000 outages Cape-wide, with a sole source circuit outage on the outer Cape resulting in whole-town outages for Truro and Provincetown.
    • Eversource has 200-line crews staged on-Cape; a personal liaison has been assigned to each town to assess need and address outages as necessary.
    • National Grid, Verizon, Comcast, and Open Cape are running critical sites via generator and responding to broken fiber issues that have led to localized service outages.
    • Utilities are currently operating in “public safety mode,” which means clearing downed trees and opening roadways is prioritized ahead of power restoration.

MULTI-AGENCY COORDINATION CENTER IS FULLY ACTIVATED  

    • The Barnstable County Multi-Agency Coordination Center (MACC) has assisted with town requests resources and information since activating at 4:00 PM yesterday.  Representatives from Eversource, Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), Health and Medical Coordinating Coalitions (HMCC), and Meteorologist Frank O’Laughlin have been present throughout the storm event.
    • Shelters continue to be on stand-by status. Regional shelters are equipped with generators. Emergency planning officials have been working to address sheltering needs as they arise, specifically concerning the potential for an extended outage.
    • Note: there are six regional shelters in our region, and a map is available on bcrepc.org

THE PUBLIC IS URGED TO STAY OFF ROADS  

The public is being urged to stay off the roads unless driving is necessary to allow clean-up and line crews to work quickly and efficiently.  If you are experiencing a power outage, contact Eversource directly.  Call 800-592-2000.

    • Flood safety tips:
      https://www.mass.gov/info-details/flood-safety-tips
    • Personal preparedness tips and additional storm preparedness resources are provided at www.bcrepc.org.
    • ABOUT BARNSTABLE COUNTY REGIONAL EMERGENCY PLANNING COMMITTEE: The Barnstable County Regional Emergency Planning Committee (BCREPC) is a coalition of law enforcement, fire service, health care, public health, public works, EMS, military, and numerous other affiliated agencies as outlined by the Massachusetts State Emergency Response Committee (SERC).  It represents the towns of Barnstable, Bourne, Brewster, Chatham, Dennis, Eastham, Falmouth, Harwich, Mashpee, Orleans, Provincetown, Sandwich, Truro, Wellfleet, and Yarmouth in Barnstable County, and the town of Nantucket in Nantucket County. The mission of the BCREPC is to harness the power of planning, cooperation, and interoperability to assist Cape Cod communities to mitigate the threat from any hazard which may require the response of multiple jurisdictions.
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