By Katie Farrell
A nor'easter that brought a blast of wind late Thursday night and into yesterday morning put a direct hit on the region yesterday, causing impacts that will take days and weeks to fix.
The winds gusts, which topped out at more than 50 mph in Salisbury between 10 p.m. and midnight Thursday, tore off roofs, ripped siding off homes, blew out windows and uprooted trees. Trash and recycling bins put out for the collection instead were sent toppling into the street, spreading garbage with roof shingles, branches and other debris across the local landscape.
Because of widespread power outages caused by the winds, two shelters have been set up for people without heat.
In Amesbury, emergency management began evacuating elderly residents yesterday afternoon before snow moved into the region.
"We will evacuate Powow Villa and the elderly projects and whoever else needs to because of the power outages," Amesbury Emergency Management director Don Swenson said. "We've been informed it could be days (before power is fully restored)."
Newbury Elementary has been turned into a Red Cross shelter to help those whose homes are uninhabitable. Amesbury residents in need of evacuation were brought to Newbury Elementary School by bus.
A second shelter was opened at the Newburyport Salvation Army post on Water Street. Mayor Donna Holaday urged seniors to visit the shelter for a warm meal if they didn't wish to stay. City officials also asked residents to check in with their neighbors to ensure everyone is safe, the mayor added.
Officials at the shelter didn't expect a large turnout last night, saying most people stick it out the first night, and if power doesn't return, may seek warm shelter tonight.
A meal for the needy tonight was also canceled due to the storm. Our Neighbors' Table canceled today's soup kitchen due to the fear a weather vane on the church would blow off and strike someone below. Emergency Management has closed off the section around the weather vane to prevent any injuries.
"The building inspector has deemed the building unsafe," Swenson said.
The Newburyport commuter line was shut down Thursday after a mammoth tree landed on a locomotive pulling the last train outbound out of Rowley station, said MBTA spokesman Joe Pesaturo.
Pesaturo said at least two dozen trees came down between the Rowley and Newburyport stations and near Manchester-by-the-Sea, with some as large as 3 feet in diameter. The line is running with 30-to-45-minute delays this morning, and some buses are being dispatched to supplement service, he said.
Bob Cook, emergency management director for Salisbury, said a residual effect in Salisbury was that two of its wells used for town water were incapacitated due to the power outage. He asked that residents conserve water as much as possible.
Cook said last night volunteers had been out for two days, working on very little sleep.
And last night, they likely returned to a dark, cold house.
"It's difficult for them," he said. "We ask that the residents please be patient. It's a difficult time."
