星期四, 1月 04, 2018

2018第一場大雪竟讓波士頓市區淹水了

(Boston Orange)2018年的這第一場大風雪,出乎人意料之外的竟然讓波士頓淹水了,沿岸地區居民,還得撤離住家。不少人因為淹水,被困在車裡等人救,不少地方遭遇停電之苦。
包括波士頓,ScituateMarshfield,昆士市 (Quincy),以及其他沿海地區都淹水了。
在波士頓,新英格蘭水族館那兒的藍線地鐵站淹水了,車站得暫時關閉一段時間。消防員還用膠筏從州街和大西洋道那兒救出被水淹困在車裏的人。
一名住在附近的目擊者表示,大西洋道都會淹水,簡直讓人不敢置信。
多徹斯特那兒,水也淹到腳踝那麼高。東波士頓的McClellan 高速公路和多徹斯特的莫里塞大道(Morrissey Boulevard)也都因為淹水,暫時封街了。
波士頓市長馬丁華殊(Martin Walsh)宣佈,繼週四之後,波士頓公校週五也停課。波士頓市府要求民眾晚上不要出門,好保持道路暢通。
這場大風雪,估計降雪量會達到18吋。週四下午時,包括波士頓,昆士市等已有許多地方降雪一尺有餘。
麻州交通局(MBTA)關閉了渡輪服務,通勤火車班次減少,紅綠橘藍等地鐵仍照正常班次行使。巴士則按照下雪天的時刻開行。
麻州緊急管理局表示,截至晚上10點半,波士頓南部及鱈魚角一帶,約有6000戶人家停電。
波士頓羅根機場雖然沒關,但許多航空公司取消了航班。單只是藍捷一家航空公司就取消了400個航班。
Scituate,消防局長John Murphy透露,有人試著要把船移到安全地方時,掉進水裏,被人救起來。
               大約有20個人必須從他們的住家中撤離。海畔道的海牆也破損了。
               不只一個人把這場大風雪拿來和1978年的暴風雪相比。許多人說他們從來沒見過潮水漲得這麼快,這麼高。
               馬許菲爾德(Marshfield)消防人員也說,有20多人必須從家裏撤離,暫時被安置到鄰近中學去。他們還把八,九名車陷大水中的人,從車裡救出來。
               消防局副局長Louis Cipullo說,水都淹得高過車門了。
               在昆士市,也有許多車在靠近Neponset河一帶,陷入水中。
               昆士市消防人員表示,他們救出大約20名被水圍困的人。昆士市長辦公室表示,東Squantum街,Pawsey街,Rockland街,已及Sachem街,還有幾條小街,都已無法通行。
               昆士警察表示,另有大約10名駕車者在車輛陷於風雪中後,打電話求救。雪實在太多了。市府在昆士高中設立了緊急庇護所,以安置那些因為家裡淹水撤離的人。
               Chatham警察局發推特指出,莫里斯島路因為潮水過高,可能也無法通行,來往民眾應避開那條路。橋街封閉了,Barn Hill鎮淹水了。
國家氣象局表示,有好幾個沿海社區在下午時都報告淹水了,包括DennisOak Bluffs, Vineyard Haven, Gloucester, and Nantucket等。

麻州首名越南裔參議員Dean Tran就職上任

麻州州長查理貝克(Charlie Baker,右起),副州長白莉朵(Karyn Polito)
為麻州參議員Dean Tran主持就職宣誓。(周菊子攝)
(Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 201813日,在麻州正副州長親自出席主持宣誓的隆重中,麻州參議會正式新添首名越南裔議員,2歲時隨家人逃難來美,2017125日在特別選舉中當選的Dean Tran
麻州參議員陳翟蘇妮(Sonia Chang Diaz)和Dean Tran打招呼。(周菊子攝)
            去年1220日,麻州州長貝克(Charlie Baker)已經在他的辦公室為Dean Tran舉行了宣誓儀式,讓共和黨籍的Dean Tran還未正式就職,就已可以展開檢視指定用途預算等工作,並提前和參議會內僅有的其他六名共和黨籍同僚認識。
            13日,麻州州長查理貝克指出,Dean Tran的個人經歷就是美國傳奇的見證,因為他能從搭船逃難,漂流海上,在難民營中輾轉這樣的背景,經由努力,踏入政壇,還從地方晉級到州政府。查理貝克更因為Dean Tran是共和黨員,格外高興。
麻州參議員門和同僚Dean Tran打招呼。(周菊子攝)
            現年42歲的Dean Tran,在當選麻州參議員之前,已連續12年擔任費奇堡(Fitchburg)市議員。代表該市,屋斯特(Worcester)及米斗塞(Middlesex)地區的麻州參議員Jennifer Flanagan為加入大麻管制委員會(Cannabis Control Commission)辭職,空出席位,給了他從市議會跳進參議會的機會。
            在大約五分鐘的就職講話中,Dean Tran表示,他不介意自己是麻州議會中的少數成員,因為那就是他的生命故事,他已經很習慣了。沒有哪個人會有像他一樣的經歷,在年僅2歲時,就隨家人跳入海中,逃離共產國家,為追求自由,輾轉於難民營之間,有了這餐,不知下一餐在哪兒。他們家是憑著堅毅,努力,以及社區、同鄉的支持,才成為中產階級。他坦言自己的成為麻州有史以來首名越南裔州議會議員,就是美國夢成真的又一實例。
麻州企業發展署助理署長范文南(Nam Pham)也來道賀。(周菊子攝)
            Dean Tran與家人做為船民,逃離越南後,在泰國難民營住了兩年,才移民來美,先住在Clinton,再遷居費奇堡市。他畢業於布蘭岱斯(Brandeis)大學,在一家軟體公司做工程師,目前已婚,育有4名子女。
            麻州首名越南裔閣員,麻州企業發展署助理署長范文南(Nam Pham)當日也特地出席就職儀式,以示支持。

            在共有40名議員的麻州參議會中,除了有四分之一華裔血統的陳翟蘇妮(Sonai Chang Diaz)之外,Dean Tran是唯一的亞裔參議員。共有160名議員的麻州眾議會,迄今仍只有5名亞裔議員,其中黃子安,陳德基為華裔,Keiko Orrall有日裔血統,Rady Mom為柬埔寨裔,另一人為Paul Schmid。他們五人已在麻州眾議會中組成亞裔黨團。





Cancelled: Sen. Warren Quincy Town Hall Slated for Friday, January 5 Is Cancelled Due to Snow Storm

Cancelled: Sen. Warren Quincy Town Hall Slated for Friday, January 5 Is Cancelled Due to Snow Storm

Boston, MA - Due to the storm hitting Massachusetts today, we will be cancelling Elizabeth’s town hall in Quincy tomorrow night. Areas of the region are experiencing serious flooding and Quincy High School is being used as an emergency shelter. We’ll be sure to update when we’re able to reschedule this event.

摩頓市公校週五也停課

Malden Winter Weather Central



Update as of Thursday, January 4th at 10:00AM

  • Snow emergency continues to be in effect until further notice
  • Emergency lots open but those who are parked there must monitor 311 (781-322-2311) to find out when to vacate the lot or risk being towed.
  • For any downed power lines, trees or limbs or other public safety emergencies, call 911.
  • For electrical or gas outages, please visit National Grid's Outage Central page or call 800-322-3223. 
  • Trash/recycling canceled today.  Please pull it off of the sidewalk until tomorrow morning.
  • Malden City Hall, Senior Center, Teen Center, Library and Public Schools are all closed Thursday, January 4th.  Public Schools also closed Friday, January 5th.
  • DPW in full plowing operation and not responding to individual requests at this time unless there is a public safety emergency.  
  • Those who had a vehicle towed must contact the Malden Police Department at 781-322-1212 to find out the location of where to retrieve your vehicle. 

波士頓降雪量預估增至18吋 公校週五停課



MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES CONTINUED PREPARATIONS, SNOW EMERGENCY, SCHOOL CLOSURES FOR WINTER STORM

Urges residents to take caution, abide by snow emergency regulations

(周菊子攝)
BOSTON - Thursday, January 4, 2018 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced the city's continued preparations for the ongoing winter storm, which is expected to bring 12 to 18 inches of snow and strong winds by around 9:00 p.m. tonight, with freezing cold temperatures lasting all weekend. Boston's Emergency Operations Center is running and will be monitoring the storm.

"As always, safety is our number one priority. We are encouraging residents to stay off the roads, assist the elderly and disabled, and be sure to use caution during the cold weather," said Mayor Walsh. "Please remember to abide by safety guidelines, call 3-1-1 with any questions, and be safe."

Updates:
  • Boston Public Schools will be closed on Friday, January 5.
  • All Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF) community centers will be open on Friday, including stand-alone centers and school-based sites.
  • A snow emergency and parking ban remains in effect throughout the duration of the storm.
  • City Hall and all libraries will be open tomorrow, and all employees should report to work.
  • Crews from Boston Water and Sewer, the Boston Fire Department and Inspectional Services are monitoring flooding in neighborhoods.
  • Sidewalks should be shoveled by 3 hours after dawn tomorrow, at about 10:15 a.m.
Discounted parking is available for Boston residents in garages and lots throughout city, and residents will have two hours to move their cars once the parking ban is lifted. Locations and pricing are available at Boston.gov/snow. Residents are encouraged to stay off the roads, and take public transportation if needed. Emergency personnel who need transport, such as doctors and nurses, are encouraged to call 3-1-1 to be connected.

Boston Public Works has 40,000 tons of rock salt ready to be distributed, and today has over 750 pieces of equipment on the roads. The city's main focus continues to be on clearing sidewalks, main streets, roadways and responding to public requests for plowing and salting. Boston Police and EMS has an increased presence and will be ready to assist people in every neighborhood.

Residents are encouraged to sign up for emergency notifications through AlertBoston and utilize the 311 call center for non-emergency related issues. 311 is operational 24 hours a day, and will have extra staff tomorrow to respond to calls. To find out more information about resources and services available to residents, please visit boston.gov/snow.

Safety Tips
  • Shoveling snow requires significant exertion; please be cautious and pay attention to symptoms. Stop if you feel chest pain, shortness of breath, light headed, nauseous/vomiting. Call 911 if those symptoms do not resolve quickly when you stop exertion.
  • Snow piles can make navigating intersections dangerous for walkers and drivers; please take extra care when turning corners with snow piles that might limit visibility.
  • Pedestrians should use caution as visibility will be diminished due to blowing and drifting of the snow caused by high winds.
  • Carbon monoxide poisoning is a concern during winter weather, especially with the use of generators. Residents should be sure to use their home heating systems wisely and safety, and have a working carbon monoxide detector on each floor of your home. Call 911 immediately if you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning.
  • Sitting in a car while idling can be deadly if the tailpipe is blocked. Do not let children sit in an idling car while shoveling. Clear any household exhaust pipes of snow. For example, gas exhaust from heating system or dryer.
  • Remember to clear snow away from all vents around their homes to avoid health risks.
  • Remember to keep catch basins and fire hydrants clear.
  • Please check on neighbors, especially the elderly and disabled.
  • Have a contractor check the roof to see if snow needs to be removed. If roof snow can be removed from the ground with the use of a snow-rake, do so with caution. Avoid working from ladders and be mindful of slippery surfaces.
  • To help keep pipes from freezing, keep the faucet dripping a little bit, and don't turn your heaters off.
Rules on Clearing Snow
  • Property owners must clear snow, sleet and ice from sidewalks and curb ramps abutting the property within three hours after the snowfall ends or three hours after sunrise if it snows overnight. Failure to comply will result in a fine issued by Boston Public Works Code Enforcement.
  • Please clear at least a 42-inch-wide path for people using wheelchairs and strollers.
  • Removal of snow, ice from a private property to the street or sidewalk is prohibited and will result in a fine issued by Boston Public Works Code Enforcement.
  • Do not throw snow onto the street.
  • Please look here for information about fines associated with improper removal of snow.
Space Savers
  • 48-hour space saver rule is in effect: residents have 48 hours to use an object to save a parking spot after a snow emergency has ended.
  • After 48 hours, space savers must be removed.
  • Due to a community decision, space savers are not allowed in the South End. Space savers are allowed in every other neighborhood.
Community Centers
Boston Centers for Youth & Families Community Centers will be open during normal business hours. Please check their schedules here.

Helping the Homeless
  • If you see homeless individuals out  in the cold who appear immobile, disoriented or underdressed for the cold, please call 911.
  • The Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) coordinates a city-wide network of emergency shelters, outreach providers, city agencies and first responders to assist those in need of shelter.
  • Emergency shelters are open 24 hours and will accept any person in need. Men can access shelters through 112 Southampton Street, and women should go to the Woods-Mullen Shelter at 794 Massachusetts Ave. BPHC and the city are working closely with shelter providers to ensure that no client is without shelter, food, resources, and a warm respite from the cold.
  • During extreme cold weather, street outreach teams will continue to provide support to homeless individuals in need.
Residents are encouraged to sign-up for AlertBoston to receive emergency alerts and to call 311, download the BOS:311 app , or Tweet at @BOS311with questions or concerns. Follow @CityofBoston and boston.gov/snow for the latest updates.

星期三, 1月 03, 2018

昆士市、摩頓市都從今晚午夜起實施暴風雪停車禁令直至5日清晨

City of Malden
Update as of Wednesday, January 3rd at 3:00PM
Due to the forecasted snowstorm, the City of Malden will declare a snow emergency as of midnight tonight.  After the snow emergency begins at midnight, winter parking restrictions will be strictly enforced.  
Regarding the parking ban:
To avoid being ticketed or towed, please seek off-street parking.  To find out what the parking restrictions are at your specific address, please visit cityofmalden.org/streetalerts. For residents on streets with a parking ban who are without access to off-street parking, the following locations are available to park free of charge and these lots are available as of 8PM.  The locations are the Early Learning Center, Beebe, Forestdale, Ferryway, Linden and Salemwood Schools as well as downtown at the CBD Garage.  Vehicles can remain in these lots until further notice but you must monitor 311 to find out when to remove your vehicle from these lots.
Snow Emergency Parking Rules
Snow emergency parking rules will be in place beginning at 12 a.m. on Thursday, January 4 and will continue through at least Friday, January 5.
Residents may park on the ODD numbered side of non-emergency neighborhood streets, but should always park in driveways if available.
Parking is prohibited on all designated emergency arteries. Click here for a complete list of emergency arteries.
Residents on side streets posted permanently as one-side parking should park on the side always allowed.
Cars parked in violation of emergency rules or impede snow plowing operations pose a public safety risk, and WILL BE TOWED. Regardless of parking rules, vehicles determined to be in obstruction of snow removal or emergency vehicles are subject to towing if not moved.
For assistance, residents can use the City’s snow request application at snowhotline@quincyma.gov or call the DPW's snow operation hotline at (617) 376-1927.
A Coastal Flood Warning is in place for this storm. For flood-related assistance, call (617) 376-1910. Residents in coastal areas should take appropriate precautions and monitor weather reports. ALWAYS call 911 in an emergency.
There will be no trash collection on Thursday, January 4. Trash regularly scheduled for Wednesday will be collected Friday. Regular Thursday and Friday collection days will be collected on Saturday.
The forecast calls for high winds, which creates the potential for downed tree limbs and power lines. If you lose power, call National Grid at 1-800-465-1212 or visit their Outage Central page at https://www.nationalgridus.com/MA-Home/Storms-Outages/.

For updates and emergency notices, please tune to Quincy Access Television; follow the City of Quincy’s Facebook page or via Twitter @CityofQuincy.

羅德島克蘭斯頓市今晚午夜起實施停車禁令

CRANSTON, RI—Cranston Mayor Allan W. Fung is urging all residents to prepare for a significant winter storm that will create dangerous travel conditions on Thursday, followed by bitter cold on Friday.

The City’s Highway Department is fully stocked with sand and salt and ready for full plowing and road-treating operations as soon as the storm arrives. Crews are expected to begin sanding roads around 3 a.m. and the city is prepared to call-in our outside contractors to join the plowing effort as soon as they’re needed.

A parking ban will go into effect at midnight tonight and will remain in effect until 7 a.m. Friday.

Trash pickup will be delayed by an additional day for the remainder of the week with no pickups occurring on Thursday. Trash pickup was already on a one-day delay this week due to the New Years Day holiday on Monday, which means residents who normally are served on Wednesday should put their bins out on Friday, Thursday customers will be serviced on Saturday and Friday customers will be serviced on Monday. Because of the delays this week, next week will continue on a one-day delay schedule with residents who normally have trash picked up on Monday being serviced on Tuesday, and so on.

Mayor Fung is asking residents to complete their storm preparations on Wednesday and avoid driving on Thursday during the storm unless it’s absolutely necessary.

“The safety of all Cranston residents is my top priority,” commented Mayor Fung. “Our crews will be working around the clock to keep the main roads clear during the entirety of the storm and the best way residents can help them get the job done is to stay off the roads.”

Mayor Fung is also urging residents to check on neighbors, particularly the elderly and disabled, to ensure everyone is properly equipped to ride out the storm.

Mayor Fung is available for call-in interviews during the storm as he oversees snow removal operations. Contact Mark Schieldrop to coordinate call-in times.

Governor Baker Announces State Office Closures for Non-Emergency State Employees

Governor Baker Announces State Office Closures for Non-Emergency State Employees

BOSTON – Tonight, Governor Charlie Baker announced that state offices will be closed tomorrow for non-emergency, executive branch state employees due to the upcoming winter storm.  The Baker-Polito Administration is urging everyone to stay off roadways if possible, allowing crews to clear snow that will accumulate across the state throughout the day.

“Tomorrow’s weather will create hazardous driving conditions across much of the Commonwealth. To prioritize public safety, we are asking everyone to stay off the roads and to use public transportation if necessary so road crews can safely clear snow,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Due to the risk of power outages and coastal flooding in many parts of the state, we urge residents to be prepared, help neighbors and be mindful of local notices throughout the storm.”
The Baker-Polito Administration remains in close contact with the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, National Weather Service, MassDOT and State Police to monitor the forecast and will work to alert the public with important updates or notifications. The MBTA Storm Desk will continue to monitor rail service throughout the storm and provide updates to commuters at MBTA.com/winter.

State Office Closures: State offices will be closed for all non-emergency, executive branch state employees on Thursday, January 4, 2018.

Highway Travel: Travel will be significantly impacted with snow covered roads, low visibility and possible white-out conditions.  Motorists should stay off the roads and use public transit when possible. If you must drive, please exercise caution, “don’t crowd the plow”,  and stay behind snow removal equipment on the roadways.

MBTA: The MBTA will run a weekday train schedule, buses will use snow routes and ferry service will be suspended, while the commuter rail will operate on a reduced schedule. Commuters are encouraged to be patient, allow plenty of time for travel and plan ahead by checking MBTA.com/winter or @MBTA on Twitter for real-time updates.

Public Safety: Please clear home and auto exhaust vents to prevent carbon monoxide exposure and avoid downed utility wires. Also, please assist in keeping sidewalks, fire hydrants and storm drains in your neighborhood clear.

The State Emergency Operations Center at MEMA Headquarters in Framingham will be activating tomorrow morning to provide situational awareness and coordinate any requested assistance to cities and towns.