Vacationers Flee as Hurricane Aims for Massachusetts
Vacationers fled the beaches of Cape Cod and its neighboring islands on Sunday as Hurricane Edouard barreled toward the Massachusetts area, washing out plans for Labor Day parades and picnics.
Outbound traffic was backed up 18 miles on Cape Cod--roughly half the length of the peninsula--as outer bands of rain from the storm began falling by evening.
“It’s a concern with the additional people on the Cape. It’s the end of summer, people are closing their summer houses,” state emergency services director Peter LaPorte said.
Gov. William F. Weld declared a state of emergency, the American Red Cross set up shelters throughout the region, and batteries and groceries were quickly emptying from coastal stores.
A hurricane warning was in effect from Watch Hill, R.I., to the Merrimack River in Massachusetts, a region including Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard and Block Island.
By 8 p.m. EDT, Edouard was centered about 180 miles south of Nantucket and was plowing toward the north at nearly 14 mph.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
