With Storm In Rearview, Lower Cape Wrestles With The Aftermath

As Monday’s blizzard finally wraps up, the majority of the Lower Cape remains without power as of Tuesday morning.

 Eversource is reporting that 8,918 (99.8  percent) of Brewster customers are still without power as of 8 a.m. Elsewhere, 7,734 (94.2 percent) of customers are without power in Chatham; 8.901 (78.6 percent) in Harwich; and 6,274 (98.8 percent) in Orleans.

 A press conference will be held in Yarmouth at 11 a.m. in which an update will be given on storm impacts and power restoration efforts, Eversource said in a press release.

Gov. Maura Healey at noon on Tuesday lifted issued a ban on non-essential motor vehicle travel in Barnstable, Bristol and Plymouth counties that was enacted on Monday. The ban encompassed the entire South Coast of Massachusetts.

“This is a serious storm, and there are dangerous road conditions out there, especially on the South Coast. We have reports of abandoned and stuck cars on the roads, and tow trucks are having difficulty getting to them,” Healey said during her Monday press conference. “While this travel ban is limited to the South Coast, we urge everyone across the state to stay off the roads for your safety and for the safety of plow drivers and emergency officials who are trying to do their jobs. Thank you to everyone who has stayed home and to those who are doing this hard work during extremely challenging conditions.”

"This is an all-hands-on-deck response. Crews will be monitoring conditions, clearing priority routes, and tracking damage," an announcement from the town of Orleans reads. "DPW will drop plows as soon as possible and work continuously to stay ahead of snowfall. Residents must stay off the roads during the storm so crews can safely clear routes for emergency vehicles."

Local police and fire departments similarly are encouraging residents to stay home and not to venture out on the roads, where downed trees and wires and other hazards persist as crews work to clean up damage from the storm.

“This isn’t snow-pocalypse,” the Orleans Police Department wrote on its Facebook page Monday night. “Things will get back to normal in a few days. We’ll get through, we’re right there with you.”

The Brewster Police Department posted a photo of a large tree fallen across Route 137 in the area of Snow Road Tuesday morning as well as another photo of a tree down across Lower Road at Sears Point

Warming centers are also up and running today for those still without power. In Harwich, residents can come to the town’s public safety facility between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Restrooms will be open and residents must bring their own food and drink, the Harwich Fire Department said in a Facebook post. Pets are not allowed except for service animals, and services will not be provided.

A warming center providing similar services will be opened at Orleans Town Hall on Tuesday, Feb. 24 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Food will not be served, and there will be no overnight accommodations.

The warming center at Nauset Regional High School will be closed Tuesday. Residents in need of help are being directed to Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School. 210 Station Road, Yarmouth and Barnstable Intermediate School, 895 Falmouth Road, Hyannis. Those in need of emergency transportation to Hyannis or Yarmouth are asked to call their local police and fire departments or the Emergency Operations Center at (508) 945-5191

The Barnstable County Regional Emergency Planning Committee is encouraging residents to prepare and offered the following tips:

➡️ Prepare for potential multi-day power outages

➡️ Charge phones and essential devices

➡️ Ensure you have adequate food, water, medications, and pet supplies

➡️ Check generators for safe outdoor operation only

➡️ Secure outdoor items ahead of strong winds

➡️ Check on older adults and vulnerable neighbors

Send any cancellations to stormcenter@capecodchronicle.com, along with any storm photos you can safely take.