The first blizzard of the new year caused havoc in many seacoast communities. The flooding along the coast has caused many damages to local’s belongings such as their homes and vehicles. This flooding wasn’t the end of the havoc. It has been so cold lately that the flooding has caused roads along the coast to freeze over.

This extreme cold in the single digit weather we have been seeing over the past week is unheard of for this time of year. The average low temperature for the Greater Boston Area is in the 20s, while these past couple weeks we have been seeing highs around 5 degrees. This extreme cold has been affecting all in the community. The weather has made business’ close, schools close or delay, and has made changes in lives.

In the homeless community these past couple weeks, there has had to be numerous shelters opened to protect those without permanent homes from the below freezing temperatures. On January 6th, there were 40 plus people staying in the armory of the New Hampshire National Guard in Rochester. In addition, the Air National Guard has opened one as well. Crossroads in Portsmouth has seen a growth in residents these past couple weeks due to this cold. The facility in Portsmouth is being pushed to its limits, capacity wise. Shelters are being set up in numerous communities around the northeast in order to help prevent injuries in this brutally cold weather.

Officials in the community have warned the public about being outside during hypothermia-inducing temperatures. They are asking the general public to only go outside if absolutely necessary. If you do have to go outside, keep time to the minimum, dress in layers, and limit exposure of skin to the elements. Meaning make sure all skin is covered if you proceed to go outside.

This cold stretch can be deadly. The community has to realize that this isn’t normal frigid winter, and needs to be able to recognize the danger to objects, animals and people that this weather is making the community abide to.

Harrison Flagg, co-founder of Plowboys Inc., stated, “While others are inside curled up under blankets bing-ing on soup and Shameless, Plowboys is out on the open road. The more snow, the better in my eyes. Keep it coming Mother Nature!”

Luckily, the past couple weeks of below freezing temperatures are finally coming to an end. A high of 50 degrees with showers is going to warm up the seacoast. Starting on on Thursday, January 11th, the temperatures are predicted to warm up with clouds and some rain showers this coming weekend.