Community Corner

LIVE Blog: Hurricane Sandy: Swampscott Info Center

The town winds back up after Sandy with school in session, town offices open and just about business as usual.

Live Rundown of Storm Events:

Oct. 30

Find out what's happening in Swampscottwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

11:40 a.m.

Superintendent Lynne Celli reported that schools opened at their regular times today and there were no problems.

Find out what's happening in Swampscottwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

A small tree came down on Monday at one of the schools and it was cleared by school maintenance. Otherwise all was well.

The superintendent said she opted to have school Tuesday after consulting with the maintenance department, listening to the governor's report last night and staying up to see whether there were any problems with flooding at high tide.

11:10 a.m.

Local weatherman George Allen, who has a weather station at his home above Fisherman's Beach, said winds were up to 60 at the peak of the storm at exposed areas along the coast.  Elsewhere, they were much less.  There wasn't a lot of rain. (Weather data plots are attached to the story.)

11 a.m.

Public Works Director Gino Cresta reported that the department is out today picking up small tree limbs and doing storm clean-up and monitoring tides in case any roads need to be closed.

Only three town trees came down during the storm, one of them on a home at 37 Bates last night.

00:06 a.m.

Fire Chief Kevin Breen said Sandy's surge at the second high tide, midnight, was less intense than her surge at the high tide at 11:30 Monday morning.

At midnight, there was some minor splash over at King's Beach and the tide was not reaching the parking lot at Fisherman's Beach.

As far as power outages, the town had about 1,100 homes and businesses without power as of midnight, he said.

These included about 300 homes in the Blodgett Avenue and Cutting Road area. A National Grid crew was working on a line there and it looked like power was going to be restored within an hour or two.

Power was also out in part of Vinnin Square, on the Stop & Shop side, and along Paradise Road from Whole Foods Market to Swampscott Avenue, just before the DPW garage, the fire chief said.

 

Oct. 29

10 p.m. Swampscott Town Administrator Tom Younger reports that Town Hall, the Swampscott Library and the Senior Center will all be open at regular times on Tuesday.

9:30 p.m., reports of power outages again at Vinnin Square and along Paradise Road.

8 p.m.: About 7 p.m. a tree came down on a house at 37 Bates Road, near Cindy's market, said the DPW director. No reports of injuries. DPW crews are on the scene removing the tree, which was a town tree.

6 p.m.: We will let you know when hear an announcement about school on Tuesday. Superintendent Lynne Celli told us within the last hour that she has been consulting with the town administrator, department heads and fellow superintendents and is awaiting any recommendation from the governor. 

5:47 p.m.: High tide and wild waves were much of what got people's attention late this morning. Now the main events are downed tree limbs. 

DPW Director Gino Cresta says tree limbs have come down on Barnstable Street, Humphrey Street by the former temple, and Morton Road.

We also noticed a large tree limb down at the corner of Boynton Street and Burrill.

National Grid crews are working on lines and Swampscott police are directing traffic at several sites in town including Paradise Road and Morton.

As of 5:30 p.m. all of Vinnin Square except for CVS pharmacy was without power.

The beaches had waves as high as 6 feet but because the tide was heading out they were away from any roads.

3:20 p.m.: Swampscott Fire Chief Kevin Breen reports storm-related events have picked up dramatically in the last hour. 

About 1,500 homes and businesses are without power.

They include all of Vinnin Square, parts of Essex Street and the high numbered end of Humphrey Street, he said.

Power remains at the high school, which would open for emergency shelter if need be.

1:56 p.m.: DPW Director Gino Cresta reports that there has been very little rain just winds and no flooding.

Tree limbs have fallen on roads or sidewalks at Suffolk Avenue, Dennison Avenue. Belleair Drive, Puritan Lane and, most recently, 701 Humphrey St.

The town reopened the road at Humphrey at Monument about 1 p.m.

12:55 p.m. 354 Essex Street tree limb down.

12:54 pm Power outage reported on Burrill.

12:30ish Utility pole on fire behind Stop & Shop

 

 

 

As the region hunkers down to ride out Hurricane Sandy, Patch wants to make sure that Swampscott stays connected. For live updates during the storm, be sure to download our App for your smartphone or tablet and 'like' Swampscott Patch on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

As you send us messages through social media and email (terry.date@patch.com), we’ll make sure the information is added here to this story in the comments and on the map found above. If you notice wires down or a tree across the road, please alert authorities and then let us know so we can spread the word quickly.

You can comment on this story to make sure readers know what’s going on in your neighborhood.

Irene wreaked havoc on the boats that remained in the water in Swampscott in August 2011. The damage from other storms in recent months and years have resulted in massive flooding and downed trees.It remains to be scene what Sandy may have in store. Basic items such as water and batteries may be scarce at times, as everyone stocks up to prepare for the worst. You can share info about where to find these items and who has gotten the latest delivery by commenting here.

Swampscott Patch aims to connect and help neighbors so we hope you’ll find this information hub helpful. 

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