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South Shore Braces For Hurricane Joaquin

SCITUATE (CBS) - Coastal towns in Massachusetts are breathing a sigh of relief that hurricane Joaquin is taking a more easterly path out to sea. But they're still watching to see what the residual effects of the hurricane might be on wind and waves.

In Marshfield they moved concrete barriers in front of seawalls a little earlier than usual to shore them up, a pre-winter job that's usually done a few weeks from now. "It looks like rough surf and high tides so we decided to take precautions even though it's going out to sea," said Jake Moore from the Marshfield Department of Public Works.

Marshfield seawall
Marshfield DPW braces for Hurricane Joaquin (WBZ-TV)

Seawalls this week are being pummeled by a classic coastal storm fueled by high tides and northeast winds. Residents with homes perched right on the ocean are still watching Joaquin. "Obviously the house, the water, the flooding, we had major floods here last year," said Andrea Primo.

If there's any impact from Joaquin, Jim Farren of Scituate has barriers ready to protect his cellar door and deck windows from any rushing water with the waves now pounding his home. He knows well the flooding potential. "You live down here this is all you get, it's a constant struggle," said Farren.

The boating season is ending early for some boat owners who like to push it past Columbus Day weekend. But with the potential of being rocked by waves, many decided to take no chances.

"It looked like it was going to clip us, now it's not, but you don't know. The wind can go in any direction," said Jim Devaney.

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