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Erosion, flooding a concern as Jose continues to weaken

NANTUCKET — Tropical Storm Jose is about 200 miles off Nantucket and getting closer, and large waves kicked up by the storm are raising concerns about flooding and erosion along the coast.

As of 5 a.m., Jose had winds of 65 miles per hour. It's about 195 miles south of Nantucket and is moving northeast at 8 miles per hour.

MORE: MEMA activates emergency operations ahead of Jose

Up and down the eastern seaboard, large waves have been crashing along the shore and strong rip currents are making the water even more dangerous.

A Boston 25 News crew shot video on Nantucket Tuesday night showing huge waves crashing against sand dunes. Flooding is also a concern on the island where sandbags are lining the sidewalks.

Some ferries to and from the islands were canceled Tuesday as the storm moved closer, and the Steamship Authority said to expect more cancellations on Wednesday.

There are also concerns about power outages. Utility crews have been stationed on Nantucket and Cape Cod in case winds from Jose bring down trees and utility poles.

For days people have been boarding up homes along the coast and removing boats from the water in preparation of Jose’s impacts to our area.

And on Tuesday, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency activated its Emergency Operations Center.

Jose’s track shifted further east than first anticipated, which alleviates some risks to southern New England. But, MEMA said it is ready to deal with the storm’s effects through Wednesday night.

"Overnight, the forecast track for Jose shifted farther to the east, which will result in less of an impact to southern New England. Generally, the Cape and Islands, and southeastern MA, will experience conditions similar to a strong nor’easter," MEMA wrote in a situational awareness statement on Tuesday. "Jose will produce heavy rain over a small part of southern New England and eastern Long Island as it passes offshore Tuesday and Wednesday. Minor to moderate coastal flooding is possible along the coast over the next several days, with total rain accumulations of 3 to 5 inches expected over Cape Cod, Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard. Swells generated by Jose are likely to cause dangerous surf and rip current conditions for the next several days along much of the U.S. east coast."