About 290,000 customers without power as crews stage to restore service; access and wind hamper work

State and emergency officials said utilities are reporting a combined total of about 290,000 power outages across eastern Massachusetts, concentrated on the Cape and South Coast, and that restoration work is being slowed by high winds and obstructed road access.

"The issue is gonna be access," Governor Healy said, noting crews are staged and more are arriving but cannot safely operate bucket trucks or reach some neighborhoods until winds subside and roads are cleared. He said crews have been brought in from New England and Canada to support restorations.

MEMA reported that 25 cities and towns have declared local states of emergency and that warming centers and shelters are available; however, some capacity figures in the transcript were garbled and were not clearly reported. Officials repeatedly urged residents who have lost power and need shelter to call 211 for assistance.

Officials also said transit agencies would operate on reduced schedules and some services were suspended; state employees able to work remotely were asked to do so. The administration said it would announce timetable changes and restoration progress as conditions permit.

Hospital impacts were mentioned briefly: officials said some hospital locations were beginning to have power restored, though the transcript did not specify names or confirm which facilities were affected beyond general references.