YARMOUTH, MASS. (WHDH) - Officials say it could be several days before tens of thousands of Cape Cod residents will have their power back on after an EF -1 tornado touched down in both Yarmouth and then Harwich on Tuesday.
Radar showed that a tornado touched down just after 12 p.m., according to the weather service, producing thunder, hail, lightning, and heavy downpours.
More than 20,000 Bay State residents were without power at 4:45 p.m., according to the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency. Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito said it will likely be a “multi-day” restoration effort.
Chatham, Dennis, and Harwich appeared to be the hardest-hit areas. In Yarmouth, cleanup efforts could last weeks.
Police officials in those towns are urging residents to stay in their homes due to extensive damage from downed wires and trees that have made roads impassable.
Cars were crushed by branches, trees were uprooted, roofs were pierced by flying debris, utility poles were snapped like toothpicks, and brick chimneys were toppled in neighborhoods across the area.
“It’s going to take weeks just to get these trees cut up and off the wires. It’s going to take weeks, I think,” one Yarmouth residents said.
The American Red Cross and Massachusetts State Police are sending crews to assist with recovery efforts.
The Red Cross will have crews at Harwich Community Center and the Harwich Police and Fire Station.
There were no reports of injuries.
For more, visit the 7Weather page.
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