Region Braces For Powerful Coastal Storm

The National Weather Service has posted a slew of warnings in advance of a strong coastal storm expected to bring the region heavy snow, high winds and coastal flooding.

A Winter Storm Watch, High Wind Warning and Coastal Flood Warning are in effect, with rain expected to change to snow sometime around 11 a.m.

Snow was expected to fall with heavy intensity, reducing visibility and possibly creating blizzard conditions on the Lower Cape for a time. Winds were forecast to gust between 50 and 60 mph, and with the snow expected to be heavy and wet, the weather service predicted a moderate risk of power outages. Eversource crews have been pre-positioned and the utility says it is ready to respond to outages when they happen.

The storm is also forecast to bring moderate coastal flooding, mostly to east-facing shorelines, with a predicted storm surge of between 2.5 and 3.5 feet. High tide at Chatham Harbor happens between 2 and 3 p.m.

In a message to residents issued Monday afternoon, Chatham Fire Chief Justin Tavano encouraged people to stay off the roads during the midday hours Tuesday, and to finalize their emergency plans, charging cell phones and other devices and checking in with friends, family and neighbors throughout the storm.

"If you live in an area that is affected by coastal flooding, please consider staying elsewhere as access routes to and from your property may become impassable. If you choose to stay on your property, ensure that you have adequate supplies to be self-sufficient for 3 days," he said. "Never drive through flood waters. Flood waters can disguise hidden hazards. If you encounter flooded roads, turn around and find a safer route. It's better to be delayed than risk your safety or that or our first responders who would be called on to rescue you."

Get official weather information here: https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?x=290&y=198&site=box&zmx=&zmy=&map_x=290&map_y=198

Storm cancellations:

Chatham Town Offices and the Community Center are closed Tuesday, and tonight's select board meeting will be held remotely through the link in the posted agenda, and will not be broadcast live. The transfer station will open but may have to close if staff needs to be diverted for snow removal.

All Brewster public buildings will be closed, including town hall, Brewster Ladies' Library, council on aging and Captains Golf Course.

Orleans town offices are closed.

Harwich town offices and municipal buildings are closed.

The Chatham Orpheum Theater is closed Tuesday.

Monomoy Regional School District, no classes Tuesday.

Nauset Public Schools, no classes Tuesday.

Cape Cod Regional Technical High School, no classes Tuesday.

Sturgis Charter School, no classes Tuesday.

Outer Cape Health Services has closed its health centers and pharmacies in Harwich Port, Wellfleet and Provincetown, and today's appointments will be rescheduled.

All Massachusetts Trial Courts are closed Tuesday.

The Town of Harwich Sewer Project public meeting scheduled for Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Community Center has been canceled.

The Family Pantry of Cape Cod will be closed on Tuesday, along with Second Glance Thrift Boutique