SCITUATE, Mass. — Scituate is bracing for both sides of the storm - snow and the coastal impact. Town officials met for an emergency meeting on Thursday to square away their plans. The town administrator says it would be best if this storm hit hardest in between high tides and angles away sooner than later so the winds don’t push too much water into the town.
Scituate is prepping for the worst. Sandbags are ready to go out to residents and businesses as a major winter storm heads this way. Paula Elsmore lives in Scituate. “I do just my bulkhead to try to keep the water from going into my bulkhead,” said Elsmore.
Paula Elsmore has been surviving storms since 1980. Her secret she says is to take every storm seriously. We asked her what storms are the most concerning. “These Nor’easters yeah the ones that come in with the wind. Because once the water comes up it doesn’t have anywhere to go,” said Elsmore.
Lisa Hazard boarded her waterfront house up before the winter season. She also lined her garage for floodwater. “For my street, it floods. And I have my Dad’s hip boots to put on because I have to clear the drain,” said Hazard.
Scituate town administrator Jim Boudreau sat down with his team for an emergency meeting. Their top concern right now. “We are a little concerned about the afternoon tide maybe some moderate flooding. If the track helps us out and shifts around to the northwest for that tide it would be helpful,” said Boudreau.
The town also has its high water equipment and a team ready for a worst-case scenario. “We do have high water rescue vehicles, we have high water rescue teams. They will all be deployed tomorrow, Saturday, and Sunday in case people need help getting out of some of these areas,” said Boudreau.
Scituate is not doing any sort of mandatory evacuations but they are urging anyone who lives in or near a flood-prone area to voluntarily leave. The other thing to take note of, is if you lose power in this one. The town says to be ready to be without power until the winds die down.