Entire island of Nantucket loses power, MA Travel Ban Ends at Midnight
The Associated Press
NANTUCKET, Mass. (AP) _ No other Massachusetts community has been hit as hard as Nantucket when it comes to blizzard-related power outages.
National Grid reports that pretty much the entire island _ more than 12,800 customers _ is without power. That includes Nantucket Cottage Hospital.
The hospital’s website says it is operating on generator power and is fully staffed.
It is currently caring for five patients and its emergency department remains operational.
The hospital delivered a “blizzard baby” at about 4 a.m. Tuesday and reached out to another expecting mother who agreed to shelter at the hospital for the duration of the storm.
Although Nantucket is not getting as much snow as some parts of the state, it is getting buffeted by winds, with a gust of 76 miles per hour reported.
BOSTON (AP) _ Gov. Charlie Baker says the ban on non-essential travel during the severe winter storm will end statewide at midnight. The MBTA will also resume service on Wednesday, and Logan Airport will reopen at 6 a.m. State Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack says it will take some time for both public transportation and the airport to get back to normal service.
Baker lifted the travel ban earlier Tuesday in western Massachusetts, which received less snow than in the east.
More than 30 inches of snow has fallen in some areas, with hurricane-force wind gusts reported on Cape Cod and the islands.
Coastal residents are bracing for the threat of additional flooding as the afternoon high tide arrives.
Baker is telling non-essential state workers to stay home for another day on Wednesday and many public schools will remain closed.
