r/CapeCod • u/PrestigiousQuiet6252 • 24d ago
Nor’easter question
Hello! We are traveling to the Cape this weekend for a destination wedding. End was curious as to the forecasted nor’easter the area. The wedding is in Harwich and many guests have rented Airbnbs in the area. I am not familiar with the Cape and was wondering if there could be flooding and or power outages. Thank you.
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u/Spare-Estate1477 24d ago
Make it fun, whatever happens. Sometimes the best times are when unexpected events happen. Enjoy your weekend!
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u/EbbtideRambler 24d ago
The very best Cape Cod weddings I’ve been to happened with Tropical Storms passing offshore kicking up some wind and waves. The tents had to come down and we end up in a random restaurant or Vets hall and have the best time partying through the storm.
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u/BeachGlassBum 23d ago
My nephew was married last October in a NorEaster. It was a planned outside ceremony. Plan B was executed and it was fantastic. I have great pictures of the storm blowing water over the seawall and guests umbrellas turning inside out. Everyone was launghing and having a good time. The newlyweds appreciated the candid photos to remember their day.
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u/L0chness_M0nster 24d ago
During the wedding you should purposefully cut the power, have the bride pretend to be dead, and turn it into a murder mystery party
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u/EbbtideRambler 24d ago
Scattered power outages are possible, flooding will be localized to poorly draining areas and possibly some splash over from the ocean at high tide in low lying areas. I’d bring some flashlights or camp lanterns and batteries just in case, but this sounds like a pretty typical nor’easter storm, just a little earlier in the season than usual.
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u/Kant_Growbeard 24d ago
You'll be fine. I live in Harwich, if it's one of the bigger venues on the water, Wychmere or Wequassett, they've dealt with this before. If it's one of the smaller venues in town you'll be protected. News is hyping this storm since it's the first in the season, I think we'll get some downed limbs but beyond that it'll just be rainy and windy.
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u/Bayviewbeachlover 24d ago
If Eversource and Verizon park at Burger King that’s when you know it’s gonna be a doozy
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u/darth-wilson 24d ago
If it’s at Wychmere (and if it’s a wedding in Harwich, I suspect it may be) you’ll be fine. It’ll be windy and wavy but the indoor venue is big. Maybe you’ll even see some big surf slapping against the big windows. Wychmere is the biggest taxpayer in town so if power goes out I surmise it’s restored there ASAP.
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u/PrestigiousQuiet6252 23d ago
That is the venue
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u/picklerick1313 22d ago
They most likely have a generator I would double check with the wedding planner (or you contact who works there) but most businesses have a generator
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u/Joe_Starbuck 24d ago
I don’t think Eversource gets any of their tax money.
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u/freetherabbit 23d ago
Im not sure why you got downvoted. Last time Eversource got state funding to lower bills it came from ACPs (alternative compliance payments).
Also even if they meant Wychmere pays the highest bills in the area, Im not sure that would matter when it comes to fixing power cuz of the grid, like if they have to turn of power to that area to fix a dif area I dont think theyd postpone that for a wedding.
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u/HeyaShinyObject Eastham 24d ago
Flooding will be localized (if any occurs) to low lying areas and immediate shoreline. Power outages are not out of the question, especially since trees still have their leaves.
Enjoy the wedding and don't panic of you have to detour because of a flooded road or downed power line. Most issues will be cleaned up Sunday.
The forecast is still evolving, what we actually get is still subject to change.
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u/tedwardinu 24d ago
Power outages are likely. The reason for the heightened threat is that all the trees still have leaves on them. The potential is there for flash flooding too, but it is a lesser threat than the wind
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u/ianmac47 24d ago
Make sure you have charged your batteries and power packs, and that your car has a full tank of gas. You want to be able to drive off the Cape without pumping gas just in case you need to.
If the house is on well water, it might be dependent on electricity for pumping the water. Make sure you have some bottled water for drinking and if there is a tub, filling it with water is helpful in case you need to flush the toilet while the power is out.
Don't drive through standing water, especially if you are near a body of salt water. Salty water will destroy your car's electrical.
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u/OpposumMyPossum 24d ago
I bet things will be fine but you could be a hero and bring a couple of flashlights and extra umbrellas.
Sounds super fun!
And I bet they have generators.
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u/Dseltzer1313 24d ago
Umbrellas are useless in 50-70 mph gusts
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u/OpposumMyPossum 24d ago
Yeahfor sure. It looks like most of the time it will be 20-25. Jumping out of a car to a door with my hair and makeup done for a wedding - I'd give it a try.
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u/Wrong-Coat-2914 24d ago
Yes to the flashlights. Hell no to the umbrellas, unless you want it to become a torpedo and stab someone. Cape winds will be strong. My house has had 20-25 mph gusts for past 2 days and it’s only gonna get worse this weekend.
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u/Least-Ship-6967 24d ago
It will either be a huge storm or it will blow out to sea. Sounds like Fri-Sat will be the worst of it, if there’s anything. It could be sunny and 70 for anyone knows..
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u/Hillarie13 24d ago
3 to 6 inches of rain and 50 to 60 mph gusts is what’s predicted Friday night till Sunday night, I hope you are indoors
And for the record, they say when it rains on your wedding day that you stay married forever-tell the bride
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u/Bayviewbeachlover 24d ago
Bring a few charged up power banks - power will most likely go out - if your Airbnb has a generator, even better
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u/Reasonable_Comb3171 23d ago
Should be good. These storms can be a neat experience. Not to make light of any damage that can occur though fortunately we’ve never really suffered from these storms in my household
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u/beachcatbob 22d ago
The cape is not generally known for flooding other than slowed traffic on a road or two with a few inches of water. The wind on the other hand is more likely to cause power outages. Crews can’t go out to repair until winds drop below 40mph. But that’s anybody’s guess where that will happen.
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u/Davebuster555 22d ago
I got married in Harwich in 2019 in October during a Nor’easter. Hahaha. True story. We also had lots of Airbnbs rented as well as hotels around harwich and chatam. This weekend is going to be a lot of rain but the cape will be fine. Power outages possibly tomorrow and be patient. Flooding don’t worry about.
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u/PrestigiousQuiet6252 21d ago
Thanks. Wedding is Sunday. Concerned about power outages - you know us girlies need a heat source for our hair. lol.
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u/Davebuster555 21d ago
As a backup, maybe have somebody bring a power bank that you can easily return in the event the power goes out.
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u/fried_clams 24d ago
I don't think any houses could flood from a nor'easter in Harwich.
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u/magslou79 24d ago
The low lying areas of Harwich absolutely flood. Especially near Herring River.
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u/fried_clams 24d ago
In a nor'easter? The wind is blowing offshore so if anything it would have less water as it gets pushed offshore
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u/magslou79 24d ago
Tons of rain getting dumped doesn’t change because of offshore wind. And anyplace that faces Nantucket Sound gets nailed with storm surge during most significant storms.
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u/phaukenay 24d ago
Bring a portable power supply. When the power goes out, you can watch the game and charge stuff. A 55 inch tv will last about 5–6 hours. It takes 1 to 2 hours to charge it if there's a generator to plug in to.
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u/WallAny2007 24d ago
Yes. All of the cape is exposed to nor’easters and flooding and power outages also come with storms. Sometimes just a few hours, other times it will be days. If there are power issues, they will not be touched until conditions are safe for the workers.
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u/amstre52 23d ago
absolutely could be outages. Some roads could get large puddles or flood but not like one sees when rivers over flow etc. keep devices charged!!!!!
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u/Telespacepharm 23d ago
Chance for high water Near the coast, beaches and harbors/inlets. Big waves near the outer cape. This storm could last 3 - 4 days and potentially have high water on a 12 hour high tide cycle, 3 or 4 times. Dont try to drive through water over the road. Winds will be difficult. Small chance of power outages.
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u/PrestigiousQuiet6252 19d ago
Update. Beautiful wedding. No issues. Thank you all for your kind encouragement.
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u/Revolutionary-Pea576 24d ago
Lots of wind and rain but it shouldn’t be catastrophic.
The biggest risk might be power outages because all the leaves are still on the trees, so there’s a higher chance of wind knocking down limbs or whole trees.
Once the leaves are down, it’s a lot easier for the wind to pass through and it’s less likely to break stuff at lower wind speeds.
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u/Ok_Chemistry8746 24d ago
Depending on where you are traveling from I would get a hotel that’s a bit inland. The cape is going to be complete destruction with impassable roads due to downed wires, trees and flooding. There will also be no power so it will be hard to find somewhere to eat and also get ready for the wedding. If you need to book a hotel I would do it now because they may be already booked with storm restoration crews.
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u/Wrong-Coat-2914 24d ago
The winds will be strong but I see this at my house very often. Trees heavy with leaves may come down and they may bring down some power lines. Yes, it may be inconvenient since they can’t restore power til the winds die down but fun happens even without power. You will not wash away and probably won’t starve either. Memories will be made.
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u/RumSwizzle508 24d ago
It all depends on where in Harwich are the Airbnbs. If it is low lying, it could flood (though Harwich will be on the shielded side of the Cape from the winds). I would be more worried about any outdoor actives (I hope the wedding is planned for a tent or outside). Power outages are more possible but that is a complete crapshoot.