SCITUATE, Mass. (WHDH) -- The outer bands of Hurricane Sandy brought damaging winds to South Shore communities, forcing many towns to evacuate residents.

The Atlantic Ocean was churning up high seas midday, crashing into the Scituate sea walls which appeared to be holding up well.

People gathered by seaside homes to watch the spectacle.

“I feel bad for all these people down here dealing with all this right now. But hopefully they’ll be safe and alright,” said Chris Scott.

“It seems like now this is going to be the worst of the two high tides but I don’t know. Taking a look at this it could be just as bad tonight. We’ll see. We got some good gusts coming right now,” said Stephen Scott, a resident.

Hurricane Sandy was still hundreds of miles away during high tide in Scituate, but waves were pummeling the shore line. The sea wall was holding up, but a 60-foot section gave way in 2010.

Police blocked access to some roads near the ocean, but they had a hard time keeping sightseers away.

“I think it’s going to get worse. I’ve been here 50 years and I haven’t seen it this bad in a while,” said Mike Happel.

The fire chief urged coastal residents to evacuate. Waves were crashing over the sea walls with ocean water flooding 7th Avenue in Scituate.