Well this is true, but to a degree. An EML is important for higher end significant severe. An EML is not needed for severe weather. There seems to be a stigma around these parts on this board that when talking about convection or severe weather potential in New England it means
1) Every town is going to get damage
2) Every poster is going to see a thunderstorm
It is all about understanding of the setup and expectations. All in all, yesterday performed exactly as it should have given the setup. There was a concentrated swath of damaging winds and there was a tornado. Yesterday was never about being a higher-end setup or about significant severe. The moderate CAPE and unseasonably strong shear indicated the potential for severe weather was higher than usual within the region, but it was of course below thresholds for significant severe. If anyone was expecting widespread significant severe yesterday then that is on them and their lack of understanding about the setup.