Photo: Getty

Provincetown, Massachusetts, USA - July 30, 2020: Street scene in Provincetown, MA on Cape Cod in historic tourist district with people visible.

A sewer emergency in Provincetown, Mass., has forced all restaurants and food businesses in the affected area to close up shop.

Thetown’s emergency alertnotified residents that they “are declaring a sewer emergency for properties on the vacuum sewer system,” listing the streets affected. The report went on to say, “Any restaurant or food service business in this service area will need to cease operations immediately.”

Continuing, “Any residential property on this system must reduce water use, including dishwashing, laundry, showering, and only flush when absolutely necessary.”

Getty

Provincetown Seen from Pilgrim Monument on Cape Cod

According toBoston.com, the Cape Cod town’s central vacuum station began experiencing problems on Tuesday afternoon when thunderstorms caused electrical damage to the downtown sewer system. Local wastewater treatment facility teams have been making repairs since.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

The outlet said that the town had “stabilized” the system on Wednesday, but that they needed to continue repairs since a “larger than normal wastewater volume [was] sent into the sewer system,” impeding their progress.

The emergency alert stated that they will continue to update the town on the situation for the next 48 hours, concluding with, “We want to thank everyone for their continued patience and cooperation.”

Located at the very tip of Cape Cod, Provincetown is a popular warm weather vacation spot for New Englanders, known for its beautiful beaches and historic charm. It’s a famouslyLGBTQ+ friendly destinationand hosts special events throughout the year.

source: people.com