Mayor Menino Reminds People to Stay Indoors Through Duration of Snow Event

Snow Emergency still in effect as heavy, wet snow continues to fall

Mayor Thomas M. Menino reminds residents to stay indoors throughout the duration of the snow event, as the storm continues to bring heavy, wet snow and high winds into Boston.  The snow emergency remains in effect and Mayor Menino and city officials continue to monitor the forecast as temperatures drop and snow continues to fall this afternoon.  Although the storm is expected to wrap-up this afternoon, we ask residents to be patient as the cleanup of the storm and may take longer.

            Due to the heavy, wet nature of the snow, we are experiencing a number of fallen trees and power lines.  Residents are reminded to stay away from down trees and power lines and report them immediately to the Mayor’s Hotline.  The City has so far received 364 reports of issues with trees and power lines and approximately 750 residents are without power in areas of Hyde Park, Roslindale, West Roxbury, and Jamaica Plain.  The City continues to work closely with NStar and city agencies to respond.

Currently there are over 569 pieces of snow removal equipment deployed throughout Boston.  The City’s emergency homeless shelters remain open and are keeping people inside throughout the day.  Boston Public Health Commission vans are out to transport people still on the streets to shelters to insure everyone has a safe place to stay during the storm. Boston Centers for Youth and Families have opened 10 community centers today, from 12pm to 6pm, for families with childcare needs.  A list can be found at http://www.cityofboston.gov/bcyf/. 

The Mayor has also activated the City of Boston Storm Center to provide information and service to Boston residents for all storm-related issues.  Residents with storm-related questions or concerns should call the Mayor’s 24-Hour Hotline at (617) 635-4500 which has extra staff on hand to field the increase in calls due to the storm. 

Mayor Menino reminds residents of the following:      

·         If you must travel into the city to take public transportation. 

·         Older residents or those with health conditions should refrain from shoveling this heavy wet snow.

·         Please check on elderly neighbors and others in need.

·         Property owners are reminded to shovel snow from sidewalks that abut their homes and businesses and any handicapped ramps close to your homes or business.

·         Do not throw snow back into the street. “Throwbacks” force the city to remove snow from the same street twice.

·         During a Snow Emergency, parking is prohibited on all major arteries in Boston. These streets are posted with “Tow Zone No Parking During Snow Emergency” signs.

·         A listing of major arteries and alternate parking can be found at http://www.cityofboston.gov/snow/parking/.

·         On streets other than major arteries, do not park within 20 feet of an intersection or further than one foot from the curb, as this impedes access for both emergency vehicles and snow plows. 

·         Trash pickup will be delayed one day.

            Residents are encouraged to use the City’s “Know Snow” program to be notified when a snow emergency is declared and canceled as well for access to other important storm-related information.  To receive notifications, register for the city’s Alert Boston network at http://www.cityofboston.gov/alertboston.  If you would like to receive updates on the storm on Twitter you can follow us: @NotifyBoston. 

For more information, please visit http://www.cityofboston.gov/snow/.