Snow Emergency 12.16.20

 
CITY of BOSTON
 

Snow emergency in effect starting at 6 p.m. 

 
 
 

Mayor Walsh declares snow emergency, parking ban in effect today at 6 p.m.

Residents are urged to take caution, remove cars parked on posted snow emergency arteries by 6 p.m. and to follow snow regulations at Boston.gov/snow.

Total snow accumulations may range between 9 to 13 inches, with the potential to up to 15 inches in some areas. Wind gusts as high as 45 mph are expected. Dry weather paired with colder temperatures and wind chill are anticipated on Thursday and Friday following the storm.

City-sponsored meal distribution sites and some COVID-19 testing sites will be closed on Thursday. More information on impacted City services is included below.

Snow emergency in effect starting at 6 p.m. Wednesday, December 16.

What this means for you:

  • A parking ban is in effect starting at 6 p.m.
  • At 6 p.m., vehicles parked on a posted snow emergency artery will start to be towed.
  • These discounted and participating garages will be available starting at 4 p.m. today.
  • Trash and Recycling pick-up is canceled citywide on Thursday, December 17. Neighborhoods with a Thursday and Friday pick-up schedule will be delayed by one day. Residents are encouraged to download the Trash Day App for alerts.
  • Property owners must fully 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 the snow ends overnight.
  • Curb and pedestrian ramps to the street should be cleared fully and continually over the duration of the storm to ensure accessibility for individuals with disabilities. If a storm will last over an extended period of time, property owners are asked to continually check ramps abutting their property for compliance.
  • Removal of snow, ice from a private property to the street or sidewalk is prohibited.
Note: Failure to comply with the rules can result in fines issued by PWD’s Code Enforcement Division. Fines associated with improper removal of snow can be found online.

City service changes

  • Starting at midnight, Street Sweeping is canceled until further notice.
  • All Boston Public Schools (BPS) school buildings will be closed. All students, including students who were scheduled to report for in-person learning, will attend classes online for a partial day that will end 2.5 hours earlier than the regularly scheduled dismissal time. There will be no in-person learning on Thursday
  • As indicated in signage posted in BPS school parking lots, parking is not allowed during snowstorms. Vehicles may be towed if they are parked in BPS parking lots this evening.
  • All BPS meal distribution sites will be open today Wednesday, December 16 until 6:00 p.m. instead of Thursday, December 17 to distribute extra meals. Other meal sites in the City will also be closed on Thursday, December 17. Residents are encouraged to check with their meal site for hours.
  • The City-sponsored mobile COVID-19 testing sites at the Washington Park Mall, 1432 Hyde Park Avenue, and the Ana M. Cole Community Center will be closed on Thursday. For other updates on testing site availability and closures, please check our hours of operation.
  • Boston City Hall and 1010 Mass Ave will be closed to the public on Thursday, December 17. Residents with appointments scheduled on Thursday, December 17 will be contacted by City departments to reschedule.
    Boston Public Library locations will be closed, including BPL To Go services.
    All Boston Centers for Youth & Families are closed and in-person programming is canceled.

Caring for yourself and others

  • If you see homeless and vulnerable 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. Boston’s emergency shelters are open 24 hours and will accept any person in need. Men can access shelter at the 112 Southampton Street Shelter, and women should go to the Woods-Mullen Shelter at 794 Massachusetts Ave. BPHC and the City work closely with shelter providers in the city to ensure that no client is without shelter, food, resources, and a warm respite from the cold.
  • The BPHC Engagement Center is open from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. In addition to providing an indoor heated space, it offers a range of basic amenities and comfort items, such as clean bathroom facilities, water, coffee, and light snacks.
  • During extreme cold weather, street outreach teams operate with extended hours and provide mobile outreach vans on the streets in the evening and throughout the day.
Use caution when shoveling, and help neighbors when you can

Safety reminders

  • Keep catch basins and fire hydrants clear. Here is a map of catch basins and fire hydrants. You can assist in keeping hydrants clear of snow so the Boston Fire Department can access them quickly in case of emergency.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Carbon monoxide poisoning is a concern during winter weather, especially with the use of generators. Residents should use their home heating systems wisely and safely, and have a working carbon monoxide detector on each floor of the 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 like gas exhaust from the heating system or dryer.
  • 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.
 
 
City of Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh
 
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Boston City Hall, 1 City Hall Square, Boston, Massachusetts 02201, United States
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