HARWICH, Mass. (AP) — Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker says he will seek a federal disaster declaration to support cleanup and recovery efforts on Cape Cod after a tornado and high winds caused extensive damage and knocked out power to tens of thousands.
The Republican on Wednesday toured the area affected by Tuesday’s storms that ripped the roof off a hotel and downed trees and power lines.
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Baker says it will take several days to collect information required that would trigger federal aid.
He said more resources are needed to clean up and restore power. Utility Eversource was reporting about 24,000 customers without power on Cape Cod as of Wednesday afternoon.
The National Weather Service says an EF1 tornado with wind speeds of up to 110 mph (177 kph) touched down in Yarmouth and Harwich.
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