Nor'easter Causes Damage, Downed Trees Across Massachusetts

HINGHAM (CBS) -- The rare March snowstorm that slammed into the northeast Tuesday brought widespread damage with it, bringing down trees and power lines.

Lauren Holm said she's still processing what happened after a tree smashed through the roof of her Hingham house while her husband and kids were home.

"A tree fell on our roof, went through the attic and a little bit through my daughter's bedroom," she said. "No one was hurt, so we're very lucky."

The family of four were displaced from their Pioneer Road home after the tree fell around 12:07 p.m., taking some live wires with it.

A utility company was on the scene. Hingham Fire said the home's power and water were shut off and secured.

The family said they will stay with their grandparents, who also live in Hingham.

Holm said the family had just moved into the home six months ago. Now, she said, the next step would be calling their insurance company.

The amount of damage to the home wasn't yet known.

Nearby on Main Street, a tree fell on an ancillary building belonging to the Baptist Church. Hingham Fire said they did not believe anyone was in that building at the time, and the amount of damage was unclear.

WBZ-TV's Jim Smith reports

In Swampscott, a tree on Roy Road fell down on power lines, causing a domino effect which brought a utility pole down into the front yard of another home.

The owner was home with another adult and her three kids, but luckily, nobody was hurt.

The incident took out a neighbor's power on the small road.

Hours after the snow stopped falling travel to and from Plum Island was at a standstill because the turnpike was too dangerous to pass. Downed power lines blocked the only road leading there.

"We went off the island to plow my daughter's driveway. We tried coming back onto the island about 2:30," said Plum Island resident Bob Freeman.

"They said there were three telephone poles that were leaning and they were worried about them falling down."

Police are checking IDs and are only allowing residents onto the island.

National Grid worked in whipping winds to stabilize the poles, but permanent repairs were impossible.

"Mother Nature is really the one in control here," said Newbury Police Deputy Chief John Lucey. "As long as the poles hold up and it doesn't get any worse we'll be in good shape."

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Doug Cope reports

In:
• Nor'easter
• Blizzard