By this morning, former Hurricane Earl will be in Canada, leaving behind a sunny, windy day perfect for Labor Day activities, according to forecasters.
In its wake, some will talk about a close call, while others will wonder what all the bluster was about in the first place.
As Earl's track came into focus yesterday, the system weakened and drifted east, reducing fears that the Merrimack Valley and North Shore coast would feel serious impacts from the storm that was downgraded to a tropical storm about 10:45 last night. An inch or two of rain and gusty winds were expected early this morning, causing the area to remain under a flash flood watch as of press time. But at 10:30 p.m., Earl was merely a sprinkle in the area.
On Cape Cod and the Islands, Earl dumped rain that was heavy at times and kicked up surf on southern- and eastward-facing beaches.
Earl swooped into New England waters as a tropical storm with winds of 70 mph after sideswiping North Carolina's Outer Banks, where it caused flooding but no injuries and little damage.
The storm's approach disrupted vacations on the unofficial final weekend of the summer, but the swirling rain it brought to Cape Cod, Nantucket Island and Martha's Vineyard on Friday was typical of the nor'easters that residents have been dealing with generations.
Winds on Nantucket, closest to the storm's center, were blowing at around 30 mph, with gusts above 40 mph. The island got about 1.5 inches of rain through 11 p.m., with more expected. Flooding of low-lying areas was expected and damage from tropical storm-force winds was still possible, officials said.
In the Merrimack Valley, the effects of Earl were barely noticeable as the evening wore on.
"We were ready, but it looks like we're going to luck out on this one," said Lawrence's acting fire Chief Brian Murphy last night. "Whatever happens, we're ready."
Just in case, Lawrence and Methuen were ready to open shelters at schools. North Andover had firefighters ready with generators and pumps for residents. The Red Cross was mobilized and ready. Haverhill had its public works crews and two tree companies on call in case of downed trees or limbs.
"We're prepared," Mayor James Fiorentini said.
But Earl wasn't just about the rain and wind. Rip currents and strong breaking waves had caused unsafe swimming conditions and numerous rescues all along the New England coastline since last weekend due to the ocean effects of Hurricane Danielle. With Earl expected to come much closer to the coast than Danielle, officials in Massachusetts and New Hampshire took precautions to prevent the distress that Earl would provide.
Salisbury Beach State Reservation on-site manager Mike Magnifico said that as a precaution, the beach was to remain closed all of yesterday, as was the reservation's popular campground. The sign at the entrance of the reservation told the same story.
"Due to upcoming storm, beach closed. . . May reopen 9/4."
Magnifico, like others, hoped the weather and sea allows the state to reopen the reservation as early as today. That decision will be made this morning, and campers should call the reservation (978-462-4481) before they head to the beach for the rest of the weekend, he said.
At Seabrook Beach, town officials closed the beachfront as of noon yesterday until 6 p.m. today and will re-evaluate the situation as today progresses, police Chief Patrick Manthorn said.
"I don't want to take chances with people's lives, especially since there's no one available at Seabrook Beach to pull people out of the water if they get into trouble," Manthorn said yesterday. "I was just at the beach at Hooksett Street's entrance, and there were three young girls in the water we'd already told to leave once. I don't want to see someone die because they think this is what they should be doing."
Seabrook Beach does not have lifeguards on duty. The beach is owned and regulated by the town, not the state of New Hampshire.
Manthorn is keeping a police presence at Seabrook Beach in the form of both cruisers on the roads and ATVs and officers at the beach to enforce the swimming ban.
Manthorn and Seabrook fire Chief Jeff Brown said they would be adding additional officers to patrols this weekend. The major concern for both was swimmers getting in over their heads in rough surf.
Public safety personnel also were keeping close watch along Plum Island.
— The Associated Press and reporters Angeljean Chiaramida, Mark E. Vogler, and Paul Tennant contributed to this report.
