Island Readies for Storm Impact
A Cape Wind site testing rig, normally located far out at sea, has been moved to Oak Bluffs harbor for protection.
A Cape Wind site testing rig, normally located far out at sea, has been moved to Oak Bluffs harbor for protection.
Beetlebung Tree Company employee Andre Duarte works on a pine tree in Chilmark Saturday afternoon. Tree companies have been flooded with calls since the storm was announced.
Beetlebung Tree Company employee Andre Duarte works on a pine tree in Chilmark Saturday afternoon. Tree companies have been flooded with calls since the storm was announced.
Workers were busy hauling in boats at Edgartown Marine on Friday.
Workers were busy hauling in boats at Edgartown Marine on Friday.
Boats are secured at Edgartown Marine.
Boats are secured at Edgartown Marine.
Shirley's Hardware displays LED lanterns, a popular item for storm preparation.
Shirley's Hardware displays LED lanterns, a popular item for storm preparation.
Shirley's has requested a special order of batteries and flashlights to be delivered tonight. Though normally closed Sunday, the store will open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Shirley's has requested a special order of batteries and flashlights to be delivered tonight. Though normally closed Sunday, the store will open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
"Now is the time to prepare," said Rita Brown, who stocked up on items at Shirley's Hardware Saturday afternoon.
"Now is the time to prepare," said Rita Brown, who stocked up on items at Shirley's Hardware Saturday afternoon.
A far cry from the summer season, Oak Bluffs harbor has emptied out.
A far cry from the summer season, Oak Bluffs harbor has emptied out.
Long lines at the Shell station on Beach Road in Vineyard Haven as people gassed up their vehicles.
Long lines at the Shell station on Beach Road in Vineyard Haven as people gassed up their vehicles.
Beetlebung Tree Company employee Andre Duarte drops branches to the ground.
Beetlebung Tree Company employee Andre Duarte drops branches to the ground.
Edgartown harbor is empty, save for a few holdouts and the harbor master boat.
Edgartown harbor is empty, save for a few holdouts and the harbor master boat.
An Oak Bluffs fire and police boat is some of the Cape Wind rig's only company.
An Oak Bluffs fire and police boat is some of the Cape Wind rig's only company.
Activity resumes at Martha's Vineyard Shipyard, where boats are being hauled and washed at a fast pace.
Activity resumes at Martha's Vineyard Shipyard, where boats are being hauled and washed at a fast pace.
Time to vacate the waters.
Time to vacate the waters.
Forecasters continued to sound warnings Saturday about a very large and dangerous storm that is expected to combine with another weather system and lash a large coastal area from the Carolinas to Southern New England with high winds, heavy rains and extreme flooding and high tides. To prepare, Islanders spent the day stocking up on flashlights, batteries and gasoline, while shipyards removed remaining boats from the water and tree companies made quick work of a flurry of requests to remove troublesome branches. In Oak Bluffs, an unusual object was in place: a Cape Wind site testing rig had been moved into the harbor for safekeeping during the storm; it was one of the visible presences in the harbor. There, and across other Island towns, few but emergency and municipal boats remained.