BOSTON – Feb. 5, 2016 – Mayor Martin J. Walsh announced that due to weather forecasts, with expected accumulations of up to eight inches, Boston Public Schools will be closed today. The Public Works Department (PWD) will have 500 trucks pre-treating roads in Boston by 6:00 a.m. and two city-owned truck-mounted snow blowers to prepare for this storm, with 40,000 tons of salt available.
Heavy wet snow has caused power outage to over 30,000 customers in the state.
Information on the storm will continue to be updated on boston.gov/snow. To register for Alert Boston, please visit: http://www.cityofboston.gov/
“With expected accumulations of four to eight inches over the next 22 hours, we are acting out of an abundance of caution for the safety of our residents, especially our children,” said Mayor Walsh. “Our Office of Emergency Management will continue to monitor the storm throughout its duration. I’m asking residents to remain vigilant during this snow event and keep an eye out for our neighbors, especially our seniors during this time.”
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Storm in effect from Friday at 1 a.m. until Friday at 3 p.m. Snow accumulation has shifted to 4-8 inches of snow in Boston and maximum wind gusts have increased to 30-35 mph.
“The snow levels are expected to increase throughout the school day and we believe it is in the best interests of our students’ safety to close schools on Friday,” said Boston Public Schools Superintendent Tommy Chang. “I encourage families to have their children attend a BYCF Center if childcare is needed.”
Schools
Due to the forecast, the Mayor and the Superintendent together have called for all Boston Public Schools to be closed on Friday, February 5. Administrative offices, including the BPS Welcome Centers and Newcomers Assessment and Counseling Center, will also be open. All after-school activities on Friday are cancelled. Digital educational resources and materials are always available online at the Boston Public Schools website: http://www.
Boston Centers for Youth and Families (BCYF) will have all facilities open from7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. All are welcome, and children ages 7 and older can be dropped off upon completion of a short intake form. Visit the BCYF website for center locations: http://www.
Parking/Space Savers
Since a snow emergency has not been declared, there should be no space savers on our streets. To find out more information about the city’s policy on parking during a snowstorm, please visit: http://www.cityofboston.gov/
Safety Tips
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Please help your neighbors and do your part to assist during this snow event by clearing sidewalks and shoveling out hydrants.
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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.
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Shoveling snow requires significant exertion, please be cautious and pay attention to symptoms. Stop if you feel chest pain, shortness of breath, lightheaded, nauseous/vomiting. Call 911 if those symptoms do not resolve quickly when you stop exertion.
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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.
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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.
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Remember to keep catch basins and fire hydrants clear.
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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.
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If you see a person in need of shelter, of it there is an emergency, please call 911.
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Please check on neighbors, especially the elderly and disabled.
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For those with questions or concerns, help is available through several channels. 311 will be running with extra staff around the clock for the next two days and the City’s social media and mobile technology strategy will be in full effect throughout the storm. Residents can tweet @bos311 with a question or concern, and use the Citizens Connect app to report issues.
Public Works
The Public Works Department (PWD) will have 500 trucks salting streets by 6:00 a.m. across the City, with 40,000 tons of salt on hand. The City’s two truck-mounted snow blowers will be available for snow removal to clear main roadways.
Trash and Recycling
Trash pick-up for neighborhoods with Friday trash pick-up will start at 6:00 a.m.
Public Libraries
All Boston Public Libraries will be open during normal business hours.
Helping the Homeless
Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) will continue to coordinate their city-wide network of emergency shelters, outreach providers, city agencies and first responders to assist the homeless during this impending storm. Shelters are kept open during the day for the safety and well being of our clients.
All individuals seeking shelter should go to Central Intake, located at Woods Mullen Shelter – 794 Massachusetts Avenue in the South End at the corner of Melnea Cass Boulevard and Massachusetts Avenue.
Residents are encouraged to sign-up for AlertBoston to receive emergency alerts and to call 311, download the BOS:311 app, or tweet at @BOS311 with questions or concerns. Follow @CityofBoston and boston.gov/snow for the latest updates.