As high tide swelled an angry ocean already roiled by high winds of the Blizzard of 2013, water breached seawalls in coastal communities and members of the National Guard rushed to help evacuate residents.

In Salisbury, a storm surge of at least 20 feet rolled over the seawall, prompting evacuation of dozens of residents. In Winthrop, waves breached a seawall, sending torrents of water down streets in the Point Shirley neighborhood and flooding cars and basements. And in Scituate, water poured onto Ocean Avenue and surrounding streets, spurring frantic calls from residents trying to get out.