Tropical Storm Jose Brings High Surf, Erosion Concerns To Cape And Islands
ORLEANS (CBS) -- High surf is expected to continue for several days and beach erosion remains a major concern as the remnants of Tropical Storm Jose hit the Cape and Islands.
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The Steamship Authority said trips to Nantucket were cancelled due to high winds and rough seas, and trips to Martha's Vineyard were now on a trip-by-trip basis.
WBZ-TV's Pamela Gardner reports from Nantucket
Further ferry service disruptions were expected later Wednesday, Thursday, and possibly even Friday due to impacts from Jose.
High tide #Nantucket on the north side of island, and no flooding but close. Splash over from the waves. #wbz #jose pic.twitter.com/HtlRuzEScG
— Pamela Gardner NBC10 Boston (@Pamelanbcboston) September 20, 2017
At Cisco Beach on Nantucket, there was steady rain Wednesday morning, and residents were preparing for a long-duration storm with wind, rain, and high surf.
Not sure if u can hear it on the video but the boats are howling in the wind. #jose #nantucket #wbz pic.twitter.com/8Z0LWVdjft
— Pamela Gardner NBC10 Boston (@Pamelanbcboston) September 20, 2017
Wind gusts could reach up to 60 mph on Nantucket, and some minor flooding was expected.
WBZ-TV's Pamela Gardner reports
Significant erosion was already taking place Wednesday.
More waves as we approach the next high tide...just after 1pm. Minor coastal flooding, sig. erosion. #Nantucket #wbz #jose pic.twitter.com/amzJma1x6o
— Pamela Gardner NBC10 Boston (@Pamelanbcboston) September 20, 2017
The island was the first place to feel the storm's effect Tuesday, with some business owners placing sandbags in front of their stores.
Flags out straight in the wind at Chatham Coast Guard Station. pic.twitter.com/Yk8nAeObOD
— Doug Cope (@dcopewbz) September 20, 2017
On Cape Cod, the waters off Nauset Beach were choppy. Residents told WBZ-TV's Nicole Jacobs it was nothing they haven't seen before, and they were preparing for the storm as if it were a regular nor'easter.
Jose brings out the storm watchers on Cape Cod. pic.twitter.com/bBQd3Kb3C5
— Doug Cope (@dcopewbz) September 20, 2017
A photographer took pictures of the surf kicked up by the storm 200 miles south, and others came by to check out the wild weather.
"It's been lovely, the weather's been pretty exciting and we're enjoying it," one man told WBZ-TV's Bill Shields.
About 3.5 hours until high tide on #NausetBeach. You can hear the wind picking up and the waters coming in more aggressively. #WBZ #Jose pic.twitter.com/fKhfaFwzXm
— Nicole Jacobs (@NicoleJacobsTV) September 20, 2017
Gusts of 40 to 50 mph were expected along the Cape, as well as storm surges of 1 to 2 feet and up to three inches of rain.
Surf rolling in to Nauset Beach in Orleans. pic.twitter.com/JHOejX8LLn
— Doug Cope (@dcopewbz) September 20, 2017
But onlookers and locals stopped by to take a look at the surf, and many said they were not concerned.
A resident on Nantucket has his way of measuring a storm. So far #Jose doesn't get a spot on the door. #nantucket #wbz pic.twitter.com/fZk0LZFVZ6
— Pamela Gardner NBC10 Boston (@Pamelanbcboston) September 20, 2017
"I've been here my whole life, so it's kind of a normal occurrence, especially during the wintertime, seeing these storms come in," said another beachgoer. "It's kind of fun to see them."
Sandwich residents, meanwhile, often struggle with erosion issues.
Tropical Storm Jose, however, didn't cause any major problems.
Residents who live on the beach have been fighting erosion for years. Some residents have used giant bean bag-like devices to hold dunes in place.
But not everyone can afford those bags. Many of those residents settle for sand berms, which erode every winter.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Doug Cope reports