Officials: storm expected to hit Wareham as 'typical nor'easter'

Mar 2, 2018

Though rumors are flying faster than this weekend's predicted 50 mph winds, Wareham Police Chief Kevin Walsh said no evacuations are planned for residents ahead of an approaching nor'easter.

The Wareham Police Department had a conference call with the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency on Thursday to discuss the storm that will hit early Friday. The storm is expected to slam the East Coast with heavy rain, strong winds and flooding from Friday to Sunday.

In Wareham, strong winds are expected, which could bring power outages and downed trees. The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch, which will be in effect from 7 a.m. Friday to 7 a.m. Saturday A high wind warning is in effect from 10 a.m. Friday to 10 a.m. Saturday.

"We're just expecting a typical nor'easter," Walsh said.

Coastal flooding is predicted for much of Massachusetts, but in Wareham it's not expected to be particularly damaging. The National Weather Service advises that devastating impacts are likely for communities exposed to the open ocean.

Walsh said the department received calls about evacuation rumors and about opening shelters, but there are no plans for those actions as the storm is not expected to hit hard.

Walsh advised that people secure loose items ahead of the storm and prepare for possible power outages.

"It's probably not going to be a good travel day tomorrow," he said.

This is subject to change as the weather can quickly turn.

"We take the situation as it comes," Walsh said. "If the weather turns for some reason and there are widespread power outages, we would consider opening up a shelter. At this point, there are no definitive plans to do that, but if things change, we'll change with it."