Cape Cod 'Open For Business' Days After Tornadoes Rip Through

CAPE COD, MA — Don't unpack those bathing suits and beach towels just yet – you can still spend this weekend on the Cape. Days after two tornadoes ripped through much of the mid-Cape, the popular vacation spot is "open for business," officials said Friday.

"Everyone is ready to go, and it promises to be a beautiful weekend and rest of the summer," House Speaker Robert DeLeo said at a press conference Friday, crediting response crews with quickly cleaning up debris and turning the power back on for tens of thousands. Sen. Ed Markey, Rep. Bill Keating and state representatives from Cape Cod were also in attendance.

Gov. Charlie Baker activated the Massachusetts National Guard Thursday in the hardest hit communities of Dennis, Harwich, Chatham and Yarmouth. The activation allowed for up to 500 guardsmen and Department of Correction work crews to manage debris and clear roads across the Cape.

The scope of the damage is still being determined, but officials are expected to seek federal disaster relief. Officials estimate the damage is above $9.6 million, which is the minimum required to qualify for federal aid.

By Friday morning, power was almost completely restored, and most of the main roads had reopened.

"Cape Cod is the heart of the summer of Massachusetts," Markey said. "And the report we got today is that Cape Cod is open for business this weekend."

Two tornadoes touched down Tuesday, tearing rooftops from buildings, uprooting trees and cutting power to tens of thousands residents and travelers. Outages exceeded 45,000 at their peak.

The National Weather Service said the twisters originated in a "supercell thunderstorm" in Nantucket and Vineyard Sounds. The first went ashore in Barnstable before lifting in South Yarmouth, and the second appeared in Harwich a few minutes later, according to the NWS. Weather officials said "straight-line wind damage" was seen in Chatham and Dennis.

Weather officials classified the tornadoes as an EF1, as they whipped up winds of 110 mph. The EF, or Enhanced Fujita scale, ranks tornadoes from 0-6 in terms of severity.

The first tornado caused significant damage to parts of Yarmouth, blowing the roof off the Cape Sands Inn and sending it into The Cove resort nearby, according to David Christian, a firefighter on Cape Cod. Widespread damage along Route 28 rendered the road "nearly impassable," Christian tweeted.

Yarmouth police said there was "significant damage" to the inn, as well as tree and electrical damage throughout the community. The NWS said the tornado also uprooted dozens of large trees, blew shingles off a house and sent a tree through the roof of a home in Yarmouth.

The second tornado, which touched down in Harwich, began east of the elementary school, moved northeast through Harwich Center, passed south of the golf course and lifted near Queen Anne Road, according to the NWS. At least 150 hardwood trees were uprooted or snapped, and the winds ripped off shingles from homes, the NWS said.

No injuries were reported during either tornado.