As Massachusetts was walloped by a nor’easter Thursday, it was the devastating flooding that captivated social media. Those hardy enough to brave the elements took to the streets to capture the once-in-a-generation storm surge. Ice chunks floated down Atlantic Avenue in downtown Boston, a dumpster bobbed along in the surf on a street in the city’s Seaport, and tides erupted into South Shore neighborhoods.
Firefighters were spotted on Atlantic Avenue in downtown Boston after the streets there became flooded with icy water.
NOW: Emergency crews are responding to massive flooding along Atlantic Ave. in Boston.
Posted by 7News - WHDH Boston on Thursday, January 4, 2018
Major flooding requiring major @BostonFire response at Atlantic Ave and Seaport Sts @boston25 pic.twitter.com/LjHXcTOUv6
— Matthew Gregoire (@BreakngNewsPhtg) January 4, 2018
Ummmm #BombCyclone #Boston #Seaport pic.twitter.com/l0iP7pGRxW
— Scott Haavisto (@ScottyONE) January 4, 2018
Long Wharf, Boston pic.twitter.com/FkBXrSO29g
— Bo Weitz (@bocomedia) January 4, 2018



My friend just sent me this video. She’s currently stuck in her office building in #Boston due to flooding. She says people are being rescued by boats. #FOX35 #WinterStormGrayson #cyclonebomb pic.twitter.com/AQXsSwFSvn
— Shannon Delaney (@shannonkdelaney) January 4, 2018
Boston’s Seaport neighborhood was also seeing high water.
Flooding in Seaport, Boston right by Legals Harborside pic.twitter.com/3Y7S4mtAJd
— Brittany Capozziello (@bcapozziello) January 4, 2018
The tide is up! 🌊
— Mass State Police (@MassStatePolice) January 4, 2018
This vessel has rode up with the tide to street level here in the Seaport, which is not common. #Wx #MAwx pic.twitter.com/T7qdUbfmtt
Sleeper St flooded. Eek! @universalhub @NWSBoston pic.twitter.com/cnV5xGkZ5a
— julia (@MasYAlgoMas) January 4, 2018
@universalhub check out Seaport Blvd right now, disaster and its getting worse by the min..... pic.twitter.com/6schC67H9l
— Miss Lippy (@Libjammin) January 4, 2018
Look at this video outside our window of flooding in #Boston historic #FortPoint #Seaport neighborhood that is causing big dumpsters to float down the street. #blizzard2018 @CNN @WCVB pic.twitter.com/mjfrZJYnKr
— kelkelly (@kelkelly) January 4, 2018

In Barnstable, photos captured just how devastating the flooding seemed.
Barnstable Harbor gone crazy!!! pic.twitter.com/KrP2sZ0J8M
— Charles Orloff (@charlesorloff) January 4, 2018
Major Coastal Flooding. Barnstable @NWSBoston @WX1BOX pic.twitter.com/630r66yPmU
— Phil Burt - CapeCodWeather.Net (@capecodweather) January 4, 2018
Marshfield also saw dramatic high tides.
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Storm Surge #BrantRock pic.twitter.com/PguCPLiFJl
— jeff simpson (@jsimp1610_) January 4, 2018
Brant Rock Ocean Street storm surge #bombogenesis pic.twitter.com/zsJf6d7Oll
— jeff simpson (@jsimp1610_) January 4, 2018
Ocean Street #brantrock #marshfield #Bombgenesis pic.twitter.com/LyVYi3Gk1o
— jeff simpson (@jsimp1610_) January 4, 2018

The National Weather Service also sent out alerts noting that the Boston tide was on its way to being the highest ever recorded since 1921.
[BREAKING] #Boston tide observation on its way to being the HIGHEST EVER RECORDED since 1921; record 4.82' MHHW (or 15.1' MLLW) back w/ the #blizzard of '78; presently at 4.718' (or 14.99') which is the second highest tide ever on record pic.twitter.com/DhMlLUEysI
— NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) January 4, 2018
We appear to be near the record high water level in #Boston. However, it is within a few tenths of an inch and this will need to be confirmed with the NOAA's National Ocean Service (NOS) @noaaocean before we can confirm or deny whether the record was tied or broken pic.twitter.com/CHiTM6kJ9Z
— NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) January 4, 2018

In fact, the flooding got so bad, the MBTA had to shut down some stations and suspend some Blue Line service.
Aquarium Station earlier today. Water gushing in from street side. pic.twitter.com/dwOArHmB6H
— MBTA Transit Police (@MBTATransitPD) January 4, 2018
#MBTA #BlueLine: The Harbor side entrance at Aquarium Station is temporarily closed. Please use the State Street entrance/exit: https://t.co/a9UUPK5Kpi pic.twitter.com/yCcprm0Mwj
— MBTA (@MBTA) January 4, 2018
#MBTA #BlueLine: Service suspended btwn Wonderland & Orient Heights Stations due to flooding at Beachmont. NO alternative service provided: https://t.co/a9UUPK5Kpi pic.twitter.com/xNeH7YtdE5
— MBTA (@MBTA) January 4, 2018
(Blue Line service has since been restored.)
BREAKING: Massive flooding near Aquarium station. Firefighters checking cars for anyone stranded. #Blizzard2018 #7News pic.twitter.com/RxCf0pnPJ8
— Justin Dougherty (@DoughertyJC) January 4, 2018
#MBTA Reminder: #Ferry service is suspended today due to severe weather & ice in the harbor.https://t.co/CAneYLZ6qV pic.twitter.com/lxjAznMC48
— MBTA (@MBTA) January 4, 2018
The flooding wasn’t just in Boston, though. Here’s a look at photos and videos of flooding in other coastal communities.
Park Avenue in Hull:


Scituate:

Icy floodwaters in #Scituate courtesy of Sarah Falvey ... just one example of the severe flooding along the coast in a number of communities. #WinterStormGrayson #blizzard2018 #wcvb pic.twitter.com/AM0uIypUvM
— Erika Tarantal (@ErikaWCVB) January 4, 2018
Winthrop:

Quincy:

#currentconditions #Quincy
— Quincy Police (@quincymapolice) January 4, 2018
Newport Ave Ext at West Squantum St. pic.twitter.com/DKtwJzYsli
Chatham:
Bridge Street is CLOSED. pic.twitter.com/cdPnLKcwKH
— Chatham Police Dept. (@chathampolicema) January 4, 2018
Barn Hill Landing is flooded. pic.twitter.com/BDRO6BwhVm
— Chatham Police Dept. (@chathampolicema) January 4, 2018
ALERT! MORRIS ISLAND AREA possibly to be inaccessible due to high tide. CFD and Harbormaster deploying assets to assist and evacuate. Avoid the area. pic.twitter.com/swAhPKJBB9
— Chatham Police Dept. (@chathampolicema) January 4, 2018
Gloucester:
@PeteNBCBoston @kwiltse Gloucester High School pic.twitter.com/Oxg3Yos6wm
— regina grenier (@5eme) January 4, 2018
#SevereCoastalFlood worst ever in #Gloucester ma.. pics of highschool , Commercial st , Washington St , Harbor road all under FEET of Ocean!!! pic.twitter.com/gkPjACFLkq
— NEMAStormWatch (@PeterLovasco) January 4, 2018
Gloucester stadium post high tide. (Photo credit: Jenn Brooks) pic.twitter.com/v0cv7LRLrs
— Dave Epstein (@growingwisdom) January 4, 2018