A fierce nor'easter churned through Marblehead Harbor in Massachusetts, tearing boats from their moorings and sending some crashing onto shoreline rocks.
At least one sailboat ended up underwater, with only its mast visible above the surface.
Here's what to know
The damage reached both the harbor and shore. Marblehead Current said a sailboat was blown off its stand at Little Harbor Boatyard, and several other boats that broke loose in the storm wound up either ashore or against the rocks near Glover's Landing.
A town alert warned that high surf, flooding, and debris could force closures on Ocean Avenue and the Causeway, the only road link to Marblehead Neck. Separately, a coastal flood warning remained in effect until 8 p.m. on September 27, while a flood watch was set to continue through 2 a.m. on September 29.
Across town, the storm knocked down trees and limbs, and the Marblehead Light Department handled about 50 outages. The Current said power has been restored to most customers.
The town alert also urged residents to avoid seawalls, beaches, rocks, and other exposed shoreline areas during periods of high surf. Drivers were warned not to go around barricades or attempt to cross flooded roads.
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What can be done?
Before the storm worsened, the town urged residents to review their family emergency plans, particularly those in flood-prone areas, and prepare for the possibility of losing power for multiple days. The town alert recommended keeping emergency kits stocked with basics such as lighting, spare batteries, a hand-crank or battery-powered radio, first-aid gear, prescriptions, key documents, water, and other necessities.
Residents were also advised to charge phones and other electronics, move outdoor furniture and decorations indoors or otherwise secure them, and avoid parking in locations known to flood. Anyone using a generator was told to keep it outdoors at least 10 feet from any building.
"Mariners should closely monitor marine forecasts and use extreme caution," the town alert said. "Conditions on the water and along the shoreline are expected to become dangerous."
With most outages restored, Fire Chief Jason Gilliland said some storm-related damage had been expected.
"There are several trees and limbs down around town, but with the leaves still on the trees and the gusting winds, it was expected," Gilliland said.
Where can I learn more?
Storm damage like this is hitting coastal communities far beyond Marblehead. Here's more on battered shorelines in Australia, rising hurricane wind risk, major outages in Washington state, Hurricane Milton's toll in Florida, and insurance headaches after a Southern snowstorm.
• Along Australia's shoreline, a worsening crisis wreaks havoc as waves and erosion batter coastal communities.
• By 2060, hurricane wind damage risk could jump 76% in a critical region.
• In Washington state, a catastrophic storm leaves tens of thousands without power and kills one.
• In Florida, Hurricane Milton's devastating threats drove damages into the billions statewide.
• Across the South, unexpected weather event damage left homeowners battling claims and repairs.
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