WINTHROP – The Point Shirley neighborhood here was virtually inaccessible by car this morning at high tide, as angry waves from the northeast pounded and finally breached a seawall, turning streets into swiftly moving torrents of water while flooding cars and basements.

The normally breezy enclave, which features a strip of modest homes facing the northeast along Yirrell Beach, was also battered by high winds and drifting snow, leaving residents who braved the outdoors wading through hip-deep snow or up to two feet of water.