Healey-Driscoll
Administration Urges Preparedness Ahead of Anticipated Winter Storm
BOSTON – In anticipation of the winter storm expected
to bring widespread snow across Massachusetts, the Healey-Driscoll
Administration advises that residents plan ahead and review winter weather
safety tips. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for
most of southern New England. The heaviest snow is expected during the evening
and through Sunday afternoon, with total accumulations between 4 to 9 inches.
The National Weather Service also issued a Winter Weather Advisory for the Cape
and Islands, with an expected snowfall of 2 to 6 inches with a light glaze of
ice possible Sunday morning. Difficult travel conditions are expected in both
the warning and advisory areas.
“While the timing of this storm is fortunate and will
minimize disruption, it is still important that residents take caution and plan
ahead. We want everyone to stay safe throughout the night and be ready to enjoy
Super Bowl Sunday,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Thank you to all of the
workers out there clearing the roads and sidewalks, keeping our trains running
and checking utility lines to make sure we all stay safe and warm.”
“As we continue to monitor this storm, we want everyone to
be prepared and plan accordingly,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll.
“Please take extra care on the roads this weekend and take the time to check in
on your neighbors.”
How Residents Can Prepare
Plan ahead and take care when traveling on the roads. Clear
snow and ice from your vehicle’s windows, lights, hood and roof before driving.
Utilize safe winter driving practices, including leaving extra room for braking
and stopping in slippery travel conditions. Don't crowd the plow or maintenance
vehicles. Stay back at least 200 feet and don't pass on the right. Prepare for
possible power outages. Fully charge your cellphone, laptop, and any essential
electronic devices before the storm. Ensure you have extra batteries for
medical equipment and assistive devices. Take stock of your emergency kit and
ensure it includes seasonal supplies, such as extra winter clothing and
blankets.
Manually check your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide (CO) detectors
to make sure they work correctly and have fresh batteries. During and after the
storm, check your outside fuel exhaust vents, making sure that they are not
obstructed by snow or ice.
Follow recommended safety
precautions when using space heaters, a fireplace, or a woodstove to heat
your home. Keep a fire extinguisher handy.
Additional tips on what to do before, during, and after a
winter storm can be found at Mass.gov/Snow.
“The State Emergency Operations Center is operating at
Steady State Monitoring and we remain in close coordination with our partners
at the National Weather Service,” said MEMA Director Dawn Brantley. “We
are prepared to facilitate any requests for assistance that may arise from
communities impacted by this winter storm and encourage residents to stay
informed of the latest conditions.”
MassDOT
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is
advising travelers that snowfall is expected to impact travel in many regions
of the state. Travelers should allow for extra travel time and check forecasts
for their routes and destinations. MassDOT crews will be pretreating roadways
in advance of the storm and will be deploying snow removal staff and equipment
as necessary across the Commonwealth.
“Our snow and ice teams are closely monitoring the expected
snowfalls across the state and are ready to deploy resources where they are
needed,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt.
“As always, travelers should plan ahead, avoid being on the road unless it is
necessary, and give our plows room to work.”
For more information on traffic conditions, travelers are
encouraged to:
- Download
the Mass511 mobile app or visit www.mass511.com to view live cameras, travel times,
real-time traffic conditions, and project information before setting out
on the road. Users can subscribe to receive text and email alerts for
traffic conditions.
- Dial
511 and select a route to hear real-time
conditions.
- Follow
@MassDOT on X, (formerly known as Twitter), to receive regular updates on
road and traffic conditions.
MBTA
For service updates immediately before, during, and after a
storm, we strongly urges riders to subscribe to text or email T-Alerts before snowfall for
real time notifications about service disruptions. We also encourage riders to
follow the MBTA on X (the site formerly known as Twitter) @MBTA, @MBTA_CR, and @MBTA_CR_Alerts for information. During and after
winter storms, the Commuter Rail and bus routes may need to reduce service and
operate on storm schedules. The MBTA will update the Commuter Rail schedules and bus schedules to match. Riders can also visit the T’s
Winter Travel Guide at mbta.com/winter.
Crews will work to clear snow and ice throughout the system,
but riders are asked to use caution on platforms and at bus
stops.
Massport
Logan International Airport will remain fully operational
throughout the storm. Passengers should anticipate delays or possible
cancellations, and check with their airline for the most up to date information
about their flight. With snowfall and potential slick roadways, passengers
should allow extra time to get to and from Logan.
For any additional questions, passengers can contact our
Passenger Service team via our website, by calling 1-800-23-LOGAN or the
FlyLogan app.
Department of Conservation and Recreation
The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is
monitoring the forecast and preparing its snow removal equipment for its
roadways and properties in anticipation of a plowable event. The agency will
activate its statewide storm center on Saturday through the duration of the
storm.
DCR may implement parking bans for agency-managed parkways
due to the winter storm event. The timing of parking bans on DCR roadways will
be consistent with local municipal bans; please refer to local parking ban
announcements. All parking bans on DCR roadways will apply to both sides of the
road. For more information on potential affected roadways and DCR’s winter
storm response, visit DCR Winter Storm Plan and Priority Map.
DCR is also warning visitors to be safe near ice, know how thick the ice is and stay away
from any cracks or melting ice.
Learn more from DCR on how to can make your own more environmentally friendly liquid
salt brine. Liquid salt brine – a mix of salt dissolved in water – serves
as an anti-icing agent to prevent snow and ice from binding to the road
surface, allowing for easier removal, fewer applications and faster return to a
clean paved surface. This snow removal technique is more cost effective and
environmentally friendly for municipalities, state agencies and
consumers.
Department of Public Utilities
The Department of Public Utilities and the Electric
Distribution Companies (EDCs) continue to monitor the weather forecast. The DPU
and EDCs remain in close communication as the storm develops. The EDCs have
planned ahead and secured additional crews that are on standby to help address
any outages. The EDCs will provide updates to the DPU in real time regarding
additional storm preparation activities to restore service to
customers.
Department of Environmental Protection
To address the handling of excessive snowfall amounts, the
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) provides Snow
Disposal Guidance to local governments and businesses. The online
guidance assists with snow disposal site selection, site preparation and
maintenance, and emergency snow disposal options that are protective of
wetlands, drinking water, and waterbodies. MassDEP also has an online mapping
tool to help communities identify possible snow disposal options
locally.
