Official: Mass. life back to normal after storm

BOSTON (AP) - State emergency officials say life is returning to normal after Hurricane Arthur dumped surprising amounts of rain and unleashed strong winds in parts of Massachusetts.

Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency spokesman Peter Judge says the storm left about 20,000 homes and businesses without power Friday. Utility companies had restored power to most customers by Saturday.

Judge says the hurricane was more of a rainstorm than a windstorm for the eastern third of the state. It dumped about 8 inches of rain in parts of southeastern Massachusetts, causing extreme street and area flooding in New Bedford. The water receded Saturday.

The storm also caused winds of up to 63 mph in Nantucket, generating high waves that led to cancellation of ferry services Friday. Service resumed Saturday.

Judge says most towns responded to local needs without asking for state help.

Cox Media Group