Northeaster Whips, Riles Island
Waves crest into parking lot at Squibnocket Beach in Chilmark.
Waves crest into parking lot at Squibnocket Beach in Chilmark.
Tree catches fire near Cottage street in Edgartown after touching an electrical wire.
Tree catches fire near Cottage street in Edgartown after touching an electrical wire.
Waves jostle boats, pummel pier at Owen Park in Vineyard Haven.
Waves jostle boats, pummel pier at Owen Park in Vineyard Haven.
Surf topples over seawall in Oak Bluffs.
Surf topples over seawall in Oak Bluffs.
Oak Bluffs harbor battered by waves Wednesday.
Oak Bluffs harbor battered by waves Wednesday.
Tree felled near Espresso Love in Edgartown on Thursday.
Tree felled near Espresso Love in Edgartown on Thursday.
Surveying the high surf at the West Chop club.
Surveying the high surf at the West Chop club.
Vineyard Haven harbor is awash in white caps.
Vineyard Haven harbor is awash in white caps.
Just more than a week after Hurricane Sandy impacted Island shores, a powerful northeaster arrived Wednesday with punishing wind that snapped trees, jostled already battered coastlines and closed low-lying sea roads temporarily. Ferries and flights to the Island were cancelled for much of Wednesday and Thursday.