Storm batters oceanfront sites in Nahant with water, rocks

NAHANT – Kelley Greens Golf Course and Clubhouse was among the oceanside structures that were damaged by more surf than snow during the storm?s wrath over the weekend, said Nahant Town Administrator Andy Bisignani.Undeterred by a seawall and other barriers, the waves tossed beach stones into the road and flooded the golf course.?Beach stones came flying over the top, from Bailey?s Hill to the end of Tudor Beach, about a half-mile section,” said Bisignani. “My understanding is there was no interior damage to Kelley Greens or to the Oceanview, but I believe there was damage to the homes along Willow Road adjacent to Kelley Greens.”Bisignani said there was “significant damage” along the seawall at Tudor Beach and at the parking area of the town wharf near the Dory Club.?Water penetrated the granite seawall, and undermined the footing for the parking lot and entryway. A big section collapsed and right now we have the area roped off,” he said on Monday.Bisignani said the damage is being assessed for emergency and long-term repairs, and the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency will be available for assistance in making the repairs.Bisignani said Nahant Road was closed for a few hours on Saturday as the surf spilled onto the road. “It?s a mess,” he said of the sea?s debris, downed trees and memorial benches that were ripped from the ground.In other areas of the town, a few senior citizens were evacuated for “a short time” due to an interrupted gas line that left some without heat.Other than the damage, Bisignani said Nahant was “well-prepared” for the storm. “Public works did an excellent job keeping the streets open, and the police department was well staffed.”Over in Swampscott, public works director Gino Cresta praised the 24-hour driving ban ordered by Gov. Deval Patrick for the ease it provided in clearing the roads of both snow and debris. “It?s the best thing that could have happened,” he said.Cresta said the emergency evacuation plan for Puritan Road residents by MEMA on Friday wasn?t needed, and the only flooding that occurred was for two homes in the area that had flooded basements.Kait Taylor can be reached at [email protected].