Coordinated Regional-Level Response to Nor’easter Continues on the Cape and the Islands
Media Alert 005:
Information from the Barnstable County Emergency Planning Committee (BCREPC)
Coordinated Regional-Level Response to Nor’easter Continues on the Cape and the Islands
BCREPC met at 10:30 AM to discuss impact management, outlook on power restoration
October 28, 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 fifth time this morning on a remote call to discuss storm impact across the region and the strategy for recovery. The next meeting will take place at 4:30 PM today.
CURRENT AND PROJECTED WEATHER
- Storm has completed its loop and is heading out to sea.
- Wind advisory is expired; the wind has diminished but is still blustery at times.
- Temperatures of 48-50 degrees are expected overnight tonight.
- A second system to approach tomorrow afternoon with possible wind gusts on Cape Cod up to 35 MPH and on up to 40 MPH on Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyards; precipitation expected to be light.
UTILITIES RESPOND
Eversource is reporting a decrease in the number of power outages to 96,560 at 10:30 AM and is expected to continue to decrease overtime today.
Eversource has provided liaisons to each of the 15 towns on Cape Cod, and approximately 1,200 Eversource crews were on Cape Cod and the Islands this morning working to troubleshoot and attend to downed wires. Their priority continues to be on public safety, clearing blocked roadways, and electrical hazards.
Local communities /DPWs are assisting with clean-up, allowing Eversource to prioritize restoration.
Open Cape and Verizon continue to respond to wireless service impacts. ATT is tied to the Open Cape system; several cuts impacting cell service have been repaired, and there are more repairs still required. Verizon has been chiefly impacted by the power outage and is bringing in a mobile unit to enhance the signal.
MULTI-AGENCY COORDINATION CENTER AND SHELTERING UPDATE
The Barnstable County Multi-Agency Coordination Center (MACC) closed the Shelter at the Barnstable Intermediate School at 895 Falmouth Road in Hyannis due to low turn-out coupled with a failed generator. The Shelter will re-open if necessary. However, the outlook is that it will not be required with continued power restoration. The Shelter is staffed and supported by 10 AmeriCorps Cape Cod members, Cape Cod Disaster Animal Response Team (DART), Cape Cod Medical Reserve Corps (MRC), American Red Cross, Barnstable Police, Barnstable School District and Hyannis Fire.
Many towns are offering warming and charging stations for residents. The public can call 2-1-1 to find the nearest station, although not all stations may be listed yet.
The MACC continues to assist the 15 towns and various agencies with service requests.
THE PUBLIC IS URGED TO STAY OFF ROADS
The public is being urged to continue 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 at 800-592-2000.
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 in mitigating the threat from any hazard which may require the response of multiple jurisdictions. Learn more at www.bcrepc.org
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