Storm Surge, Large Waves Prompt Coastal Flood Watch for Marblehead

The blizzard expected to begin Friday evening may crescendo into flood damage come Saturday morning.

The National Weather Service has declared a coastal flood watch for the entire Massachusetts coast line — including Marblehead.

You've probably heard about the coming storm that's expected to dump one to two feet of snow on much of the state. But early Thursday morning the Weather Service added the flood watch to the blizzard watch already in effect.

Forecasters say "numerous coastal roads" could become impassable Friday evening and during Saturday morning's high tide. In Salem Harbor, the Saturday morning high tide will come at 9:59. It could be accompanied by large waves and a storm surge of two-three feet, the Weather Service warns.

Major coastal flooding could occur around that Saturday morning high tide. If that does actually come to pass, the consequences could be dire — "Some vulnerable homes may be damaged or destroyed," the flood watch says. It also warns that evacuation of some neighborhoods might be called for.

Stay with Marblehead Patch as we monitor the storm.