Sandy hammers Mass. with winds and waves - ABC6 - Providence, RI and New Bedford, MA News, Weather

Sandy hammers Mass. with winds and waves

By News Staff

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FRAMINGHAM, Mass. (AP) - Gov. Deval Patrick says Massachusetts has weathered the storm fairly well and that officials are relieved that the state didn't get a direct hit from Sandy.

Patrick told a Monday evening briefing at the state's emergency management center that he was "cautiously optimistic'' that MBTA service could resume in time for the Tuesday morning rush hour after being shut down earlier because of high winds.

The governor also said state offices would reopen at 10 a.m. Tuesday.     

Nearly 400,000 electric customers around the state were without power Monday night. Patrick said utilities expected to step up restoration efforts when the strongest winds subside.

State police said two people died in car crashes Monday, one in Peabody and one in Dartmouth, but the accidents do not appear to be storm-related. No other injuries were reported.