Salem's Coastal Flooding Is Worst In 50 Years: City Historian

SALEM, MA -- Derby wharf was completely under water as high tide rolled into Salem during a winter storm. The coastal flooding was so bad the city has closed several roads and already canceled school for Friday. In an email to Patch, Nelson Dionne, a retired Salem police officer and a city historian, said the "coastal flooding is exceeding all levels I have seen in the past 50+ years."

Salem State University said that, like Salem Public Schools, it would be closed Friday. Only essential personnel should report to work.

High tide hit Salem at 12:38 pm just as winds were reaching top speeds for the blizzard that is battering eastern Massachusetts. Mayor Kim Driscoll said the city was workin on plans to possibly open a shelter at Salem High School for people whose homes had flooded.

"We have all our equipment, as well as a mix of contractors, out clearing snow from roads and walkways," Driscoll said. "It’s still pretty difficult driving, so please avoid traveling on roadways if at all possible."

Salem Police were issuing warnings that under no circumstances should people be on the roads. A police scanner dispatch said a woman was standing on the roof of her car near the F.W. Webb building waiting to be rescued after getting stuck in the rapidly rising water.

School has been cancelled for a second day. Mid-day high tides have brought severe flooding to the Willows, Collins Cove, Pickering Wharf, and the Bridge Street area near FW Webb and the dog park, along with the end of Leach Street by Palmer Cove. I haven't heard of any real tide issues on Canal Street thus far, but stay in if you can.

"Mid-day high tides have brought severe flooding to the Willows, Collins Cove, Pickering Wharf, and the Bridge Street area near FW Webb and the dog park, along with the end of Leach Street by Palmer Cove. I haven't heard of any real tide issues on Canal Street thus far, but stay in if you can," Ward 5 City Councillor Josh Turiel posted on his Facebook page. "The high tide was around 12:30 so conditions should improve from there. No update yet on the snow emergency ending."

Storm videos and photos submitted by Salem Patch Readers:

Photo of Connors Road in Salem by Kathie Strout:

Photos of Derby Wharf by Mark Strevick:

Have photos of the flooding in Salem? Email them to dave.copeland@patch.com.

Video of ice floes on Salem Harbor by Jenn Minery:

Photo by Bill Bushong of Salem:

Featured video (top) of flooding of Derby Wharf in Salem by Mark Stevick.

Photo of Connors Road in Salem by Kathie Strout.

Have photos of the flooding in Salem? Email them to dave.copeland@patch.com.

This is a breaking news story. Salem Patch will update as more details become available.

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Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).