The “bomb cyclone” that is battering New England with strong winds and swirling snow has caused significant flooding in coastal areas, including Boston.

On Thursday afternoon, the National Weather Service said on Twitter that coastal flooding from the storm was “getting close” to the flooding seen in the Blizzard of 1978, and that initial measurements suggest that Boston’s tide levels appeared to be nearing their highest since 1921.

[BREAKING] #Boston tide observation on its way to being the HIGHEST EVER RECORDED since 1921; record 4.82' MHHW (or 15.1' MLLW) back w/ the #blizzard of '78; presently at 4.718' (or 14.99') which is the second highest tide ever on record pic.twitter.com/DhMlLUEysI — NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) January 4, 2018

We appear to be near the record high water level in #Boston. However, it is within a few tenths of an inch and this will need to be confirmed with the NOAA's National Ocean Service (NOS) @noaaocean before we can confirm or deny whether the record was tied or broken pic.twitter.com/CHiTM6kJ9Z — NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) January 4, 2018

Photos and videos of the floodwaters inundated social media, with emergency services, residents, and reporters in coastal areas sharing what they were seeing, including a dumpster floating down the street, a car rescue, and evacuations on Plum Island.

Neponset Circle firefighters come to the rescue of an adult male trapped by rising water pic.twitter.com/ai5DPO7zPg — Boston Fire Dept. (@BostonFire) January 4, 2018


Dyke Rd, Marshfield. Police rescued driver from this car. pic.twitter.com/LwzaoEPXwM — David Robichaud (@RobiWBZ) January 4, 2018

Gloucester stadium post high tide. (Photo credit: Jenn Brooks) pic.twitter.com/v0cv7LRLrs — Dave Epstein (@growingwisdom) January 4, 2018

Some photos from today's storm. Please continue to stay off the roads while DPW operations are still under way. pic.twitter.com/7YK9Ah6pYY — Cohasset Police (@CohassetPolice) January 4, 2018

At Pita Hall on Plum Island, where Newbury police are evacuating people from flooded homes. 1-2 ft of sea water approaching the front door. #7News pic.twitter.com/UmuSqbaOWm — Justin Bourke (@JBourkeOn7) January 4, 2018

Flooding at McConnell Playground in Dorchester pic.twitter.com/SSP2XJBk9x — Brian Amaral (@bamaral44) January 4, 2018