Major Flood Problems As Tide Reaches Record Heights

BOSTON, MA — Move over, '78. The Blizzard of '18 just made itself known in the record books. Gov. Charlie Baker told reporters Thursday evening that the National Weather Service was speculating a flood-filled storm of a day saw the highest tide in recorded Massachusetts history at around 15 feet.

The NWS earlier indicated that Boston could see a record tide this afternoon. Only the Blizzard of '78's tide of would have been higher, according to statistics going back to 1921. But Baker, though he didn't offer an exact number, said the NWS believed the record has been broken.

"The National Weather Service is speculating today marked the highest high tide in record in Massachusetts," Baker said. "The good news is the water should subside soon, and while some areas of the Commonwealth may see flooding stick around for a day or so, another major surge, at least according to the weather service, is not anticipated."

Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito said 26 of the 78 coastal communities reported flooding. Other reports had it as high as 32 communities. Several cities and towns - including Boston - saw such massive flooding that cars became trapped and people needed to be rescued.

In Salem, where Derby wharf was completely submerged, flooding was as bad as it has been in the half-century.

The parking lot at Gloucester High was a sight to behold, as was the football field-turned-swimming pool.

Pearl Street in Revere was covered in this what looked like a giant slushee.

The South Shore was among the hardest-hit areas: Firefighters in Weymouth were navigating a flood to save trapped residents.

A video taken on Seaport Boulevard in Boston shows that the neighborhood is facing their own flooding issues as well. At the MBTA's Aquarium station, the harbor side entrance has been closed due to flooding.

Image via MBTA

Materials from State House News Service was used in this report