Snow emergency declared
Telework time; watch your car
Boston is under a snow emergency and all municipal buildings and BPS schools will be closed for today’s storm, Mayor Michelle Wu announced.
“The best projections right now estimate that we will likely get between eight and 12 inches of snow in total, that it will come down pretty heavily during the morning commute starting earlier in the morning and potentially continuing all the way through the afternoon,” Wu said at a press briefing on the snow emergency. “That means that we are making the call … that Boston Public Schools will be closed.”
After two years without a major snowstorm, city and state officials warned residents to take preparations and precautions seriously.
Statewide, Gov. Maura Healey directed non-emergency state employees in the executive branch to stay home and telework today.
“This is not intended to be a record-breaking forecast, but it is expected to cause hazardous travel conditions, potential power outages, and coastal flooding,” Healey said. “So we ask that people prepare accordingly.”
Many school districts in the area, including Brookline, Somerville, Malden and Quincy public schools, have also announced closures today.
Boston’s snow emergency parking ban went into effect at 10 p.m. last night, Wu said, to help keep posted roads and major arteries clear of snow and available for emergency vehicles.
Residents are encouraged to look out for signs posted to indicate streets with restricted parking during snow emergencies, city officials said. Any cars parked along restricted roads or in BPS lots will be towed. A map of roads with restricted parking during snow emergencies and information on discounted alternative parking is available on boston.gov/snow.
Residents may also use space savers for up to 48 hours after the snow emergency ends in Boston, except in the South End and Bay Village, which do not allow space savers.
The T will continue normal operations, except shuttle buses on the Mattapan trolley line, Healey said, though there may be disruptions.
In addition to schools, municipal buildings in Boston will be closed today, Wu said. These include BCYF centers and all Boston Public Library branches. Of city staff, she added, only Emergency Operations personnel will be reporting in person.
The city is well-prepared for this first major snowstorm in over two years, said Chief of Streets Jascha Franklin-Hodge, with nearly 40,000 tonnes of salt and over 800 pieces of city-owned and contractor snow-clearing equipment ready to go.
In addition to heavy snow and wind, Franklin-Hodge said, teams are also preparing for possible coastal flooding.
“While we’re prepared for the storm, the forecast models that we’re looking at are showing snowfall rates of as high as one to two inches an hour during the peak of the storm,” said Franklin-Hodge. “And what that means is that there will be times where snow accumulates on the roads.”
Throughout the state, Healey said, crews will stand ready to “flooded roadways, downed powerlines and coastal flooding.”
“Depending on the amount of storm surge, it usually does isolate parts of our city,” said Quincy Mayor Thomas P. Koch, noting the many peninsulas. … “One of the biggest concerns I have truthfully is that we haven’t had a storm in quite some time and people forget. They’ve got to follow the rules.”
As much as possible, Boston city officials echoed, residents should stay off the roads and work from home.
Property owners are responsible for clearing snow from sidewalks and curb ramps along the property within three hours of snowfall ending or within three hours of sunrise if snowfall ends overnight. Shovelers should not toss snow into the street, Franklin-Hodge emphasized, and the city will hand out tickets to those who do so or fail to shovel.
City officials also encouraged residents to check on neighbors and loved ones, especially seniors and unhoused people, and call 911 for anyone who looks like they need help out in the cold.
Emergency shelters will be open and taking walk-ins 24 hours a day, Wu said. The men’s shelter is located at 112 South Hampton St., and women can access the Woods Mullen shelter at 794 Massachusetts Ave.
“Most importantly, please remember to check in, reach out to your family and neighbors, loved ones, friends,” Wu said. “Make sure that everyone has a plan to stay inside and stay safe and warm. We know that when our community comes together, we can weather any storm.”
More information on Boston snow preparations, assistance and resources is available on boston. gov/snow or via the 311 phone number or app. Statewide information can be found at mass.gov/mema.