Nor'Easter Whips Nantucket With Hurricane Force Winds And Snow

A powerful nor’easter hit Nantucket Sunday night and into Monday with blizzard conditions, taking down numerous trees and power lines that knocked out power for thousands on the island.

There was moderate coastal flooding along the waterfront and at Jetties Beach, but it was the powerful wind gusts topping 80 mph that combined with heavy, wet snow that had the biggest impact on Nantucket residents. 

The Steamship Authority and Hy-Line Cruises cancelled service for all of Monday. While the Hy-Line cancelled all Tuesday trips, the Steamship's 9:15 slow ferry made its scheduled trip, and all slow ferries are scheduled to provide service as of Tuesday morning. The Hy-Line said their service will resume on Wednesday.

The town is urging people to stay off the roads as crews work to restore power and clear the roads. According to National Grid, over 5,000 customers remain affected by power outages - with the west side of the island, mid-island, and Tom Nevers the most impacted.

"Travel should be restricted to emergencies only," the National Weather Service stated in their alert. "If you must travel, have a winter survival kit with you. If you get stranded, stay with your vehicle."

A coastal flood warning was also issued and was in effect from 1-7 a.m. on Monday, February 23. Harbormaster Sheila Lucey announced that the storm gate at Children's Beach would be closed at 2 p.m. on Sunday and reopen when weather permits.

Town offices and Nantucket Public Schools were closed on Monday and they will be closed on Tuesday. The varsity boys basketball team's playoff game was rescheduled from Tuesday to Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. in the high school gymnasium.

The NRTA also cancelled all services on Monday but is expected to start back up on Tuesday at noon. The Saltmarsh Center and Atheneum were also closed, as well as the landfill.

The Nantucket Police and town officials announced Monday afternoon that a shelter at the Intermediate School will be open at 3 p.m. and remain open until further notice.

"When accessing the shelter, please use the front entrance as the back entrance off Sparks Ave will be blocked due to downed wires," the police said in their announcement. "This storm is continuing to produce high winds and snow. Please remain off the road ways unless absolutely necessary to allow those working to do their jobs."

National Grid told the Current they are prepared and have resources on the island. There were several utility trucks loaded onto the 9:15 a.m. Steamship Tuesday morning as well to provide additional support. Due to multiple downed poles, restoration is expected to be delayed in some areas. Power is expected to remain unstable, with widespread outages likely continuing through Tuesday.

"The company has crews and personnel ready to respond to resulting power outages, including overhead and forestry crews that will be in position (Sunday) on Nantucket, ahead of the storm," Christine Milligan, National Grid's principal program manager, said Saturday afternoon.

The Nantucket Cottage Hospital said Urgent Access and clinics will be closed on Monday, however Virtual Urgent Care is available 24/7 through the patient gateway. Clinic appointments are being rescheduled while all other hospital operations are expected to function as normal. The hospital expects to be fully operational on Tuesday, February 24 including Urgent Access and all elective procedures. Urgent Access will operate out of the clinic in the main building on Tuesday.

The town also announced Sunday afternoon that a snow emergency parking ban would go into effect at 3 p.m. and remain in place "at least through Tuesday at noon."

Vehicles parked on designated snow emergency streets in violation of the ban may be ticketed or towed. Compliance with the parking ban is required to allow Public Works crews to clear roads safely and efficiently. This ban will remain in effect until further notice.

The Nantucket Community School has cancelled all programs Monday, including at the community pool. Island Lumber will also be closed.

Snow Emergency Parking Ban Street List: Academy Lane, Ash Lane, Ash Street, Candle Street, Cambridge Street (Federal Street to Easy Street), Center Street (Chester Street to Step Lane), Commercial Street, E. Chestnut St. (Official Vehicles Permitted), Easy Street (Oak Street to Broad Street), Fair Street, Fayette Street, Gay Street, High Street, Hussey Street, India Street (Gardner Street to Center Street), Liberty Street, Lily Street, Lowell Place, N. Union Street, New Whale Street, Oak Street, Pine Street, Pleasant Street (York Street to Main Street), Plumb Lane, Quince Street, Rose Lane, S. Beach Street Ext.,Salem Street, Summer Street, Traders Lane, Union Street, West York Lane, Wesco Place, Whalers Lane, Winter Street, Walnut Street, York Street (Union Street to Pleasant Street). 

Below are some photos taken by island photographer Josh Gray.

Below are some photos taken by our readers and staff on Monday.

This story will be updated.