Coastal towns in Massachusetts are urging residents and boat owners to prepare for a potential storm by securing property and taking safety measures.
A rare September nor’easter is forecast to intensify off the Mid-Atlantic coast this week and could bring heavy rain, gusty winds and rough sea conditions to millions of people along the Eastern Seaboard.
In Scituate, a boater was seen pulling his vessel from the water, saying he would rather be safe than sorry.
“Last year we had some decent swells that came through the inlet here and kind of rocked the marina a little bit, so just to be safe I thought, pull it out early,” said boat owner Mike Gaudette.
Scituate Town Manager Jim Boudreau encouraged residents to act now.
“We’re telling people, hey, it’s a good time to get your generators tuned up, make sure they’re running. If you’ve got things that will blow around, put them away,” Boudreau said.
Officials in Ipswich and Chatham are also advising boat owners to take precautions, including possibly removing vessels from the water.
The preparations are focused on securing loose items and making sure emergency equipment is ready.
Boat owners in multiple communities are being asked to consider removing their vessels from the water before conditions worsen.
Officials say the time to act is now, before the storm arrives.
