In the wake of heavy overnight rainstorms, a high tide along the coastlines of Marblehead, Swampscott, and Lynn brought a slew of flooded streets and road closures in the three communities Wednesday morning.
At 9 a.m., the Marblehead Causeway was closed due to flooding, and Marblehead Police blocked off a portion of Front Street from the Barnacle Restaurant up to Fort Sewall. Excavators and plows were used to clear the road of debris for more than two hours as waves continued to crash on the causeway before it was reopened shortly after 11 a.m.
Chief Shellfish Constable and Town Moderator Jack Attridge announced Wednesday that shellfish harvesting will be closed at Devereux Beach due to a Sanitary Sewer Overflow.
“Currently, the high surf and hours of low tides are not conducive or in accordance with our rules for harvesting but I request that all Constables to monitor the resource closely,” Attridge said. “Barring any other events, we can expect this closure to be in effect for 21 days from the termination of the SSO event.
The National Weather Service issued a flood watch that will remain in effect through most of Massachusetts until 1 p.m.
Department of Public Works vehicles blocked off portions of Lynn Shore Drive, in Lynn, and Humphrey Street, in Swampscott, at approximately 9 a.m., as 50-foot-tall waves rose and crashed over the walkway lining Red Rock Park in Lynn through King’s and Fisherman’s beaches.
At approximately 10 a.m., crews cleaned debris such as seaweed, branches, and outdoor chairs out of water puddles up to roughly three feet high that were scattered along coastal streets.
In Saugus, Route 99 was closed for flooding in both directions at approximately 10:30 a.m.
In Swampscott, portions of Atlantic Avenue were closed due to flooding as waves crashed over the Yacht Club. At 10:45 a.m., Atlantic Avenue reopened. The Marblehead Causeway reopened at approximately 11 a.m.