Updated, Monday, January 27, 2015, 12:00PM:
Good Afternoon. This is Amherst Town Manager John Musante with an update on the the winter storm. As of 11:00 a.m. snow accumulations total 6-8" in Amherst with a total of 16" expected thru midnight tonight. No power outages have been reported. Town public works and public safety personnel are working hard to clear our streets and keep us safe. The Town of Amherst urges you to stay indoors during the storm if possible. The strong wind and low temperatures will cause a very dangerous ‘wind chill’. A statewide motor vehicle travel ban for all non-essential travel remains in effect until further notice. The Town's on-street parking ban is in effect thru Wednesday at 7 a.m. Visit www.amherstma.gov and stay tuned to local media outlets for the latest information.
STAY INFORMED
For additional information and updated forecasts, see www.weather.gov/boston (National Weather Service Taunton) and www.weather.gov/albany (National Weather Service Albany)
Utilize Massachusetts Alerts to receive emergency notifications and information from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency and the National Weather Service. Massachusetts Alerts is a free app that is available for Android and iPhones. To learn more about Massachusetts Alerts, and for information on how to download the free app onto your smartphone, visit: www.mass.gov/mema/mobileapp.
Utilize MEMA’s real-time power outage viewer to stay informed about current power outages in your community and region, and across the state, including information from utility companies about restoration times: http://mema.mapsonline.net/public.html
MA Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) TIPS FOR PREPARING FOR THE STORM
FRAMINGHAM, MA – “Before the arrival of the storm this evening, it is important that you take the proper steps to ensure the safety of your family and home,” said Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) Director Kurt Schwartz.
• Ensure your Emergency Kit is stocked with supplies to enable you to survive on your own for at least three to five days. There should be a first-aid kit, essential prescription medicines, non-perishable foods (those that require no refrigeration such as canned goods, dried fruits and nuts), a manual can opener, water (one gallon per person, per day), flashlights and extra batteries along with a portable radio or NOAA Weather Radio, baby-care or pet supplies items, extra blankets, sleeping bags and a fire extinguisher.
• Ensure that your Winter Emergency Car Kit is well stocked to keep you and your vehicle safe.
• This storm has the potential to bring widespread power outages, so take the opportunity to fully charge your cell phone, laptop, and any other devices in advance of a power outage.
• Those along the coast should be aware of potential flooding. Pay close attention to directives from you local public safety officials.
• Keep extra batteries for your phone in a safe place or purchase a solar-powered or hand crank charger. These chargers are good emergency tools to keep your laptop and other small electronics working in the event of a power outage. If you own a car, purchase a car phone charger because you can charge your phone if you lose power at your home.
• Gas up you automobiles because many local filling stations may also lose their ability to pump gas.
• Download the free Massachusetts Alerts app to your smartphone to receive important weather alerts and messages from MEMA. Easy instructions are available atwww.mass.gov/mema/mobileapp.
• Trim dead tree branches and limbs close to your home. Ice, snow and wind can combine to snap limbs that can take down power lines or damage your home.
• Clean gutters. Melting snow and ice can build up if gutters are clogged with debris. When thawing begins, the water can back up under your roof and eaves causing damage to walls and ceilings.
• Check your homeowner’s insurance policy to ensure adequate coverage.
• Ensure that your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide (CO) detectors are working correctly and have fresh batteries. Check your outside fuel exhaust vents, making sure that they are not obstructed by snow or ice. Never use cooking equipment intended for outside use indoors as a heat source or cooking device
• Have sufficient heating fuel, as regular sources may be cut off. Have the option of emergency heating equipment and fuel (a gas fireplace, wood burning stove or fireplace) so you can safely keep at least one room livable. Be sure the room is well ventilated.
• To keep pipes from freezing, wrap them in insulation or layers of newspapers, covering the newspapers with plastic to keep out moisture. Let faucets drip a little to avoid freezing.
• Know how to safely shut off gas, electric power and water valves.
• If you use medical equipment in your home that requires electricity, talk to your health care provider about how you can prepare for its use during a power outage. Ensure you have extra batteries for medical equipment and assistive devices.
• If you have life-support devices that depend on electricity, contact your local electric company about your power needs for life-support devices (home dialysis, suction, breathing machines, etc.) in advance of an emergency. Some utility companies will put you on a "priority reconnection service" list. Talk to your equipment suppliers about your power options and also let the fire department know that you are dependent on life-support devices.
• Find out about individual assistance that may be available in your community if you need it. Register in advance with the local emergency management agency, the local fire department, other government agencies or non-profit groups. Tell them of your individual needs or those of a family member and find out what assistance, help or services can be provided.
• If you use in-home support services, Meals-on-Wheels, Life Alert or other support services, work with them to personalize emergency preparedness plans to meet your needs so you can keep in touch with them during and after an emergency. That contact may be your lifeline to other services in a disaster.
• If you have or may have transportation needs, work with local transportation providers and/or disability services (e.g., Paratransit, Independent Living Centers) to plan ahead for accessible transportation.
• Develop back-up plans for personal assistance services, hospice or other forms of in-home assistance.
• Be a good neighbor. Check in on friends, family, and neighbors, particularly those most susceptible to extreme temperatures and power outages such as seniors and those with access and functional needs.
MEMA is the state agency charged with ensuring the state is prepared to withstand, respond to, and recover from all types of emergencies and disasters, including natural hazards, accidents, deliberate attacks, and technological and infrastructure failures. MEMA is committed to an all hazards approach to emergency management. By building and sustaining effective partnerships with federal, state and local government agencies, and with the private sector - - individuals, families, non-profits, and businesses - - MEMA ensures the Commonwealth’s ability to rapidly recover from large and small disasters by assessing and mitigating threats and hazards, enhancing preparedness, coordinating response operations, and strengthening our capacity to rebuild and recover.
For additional information about MEMA, go to www.mass.gov/mema. Also, follow MEMA on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MassEMA; Facebook atwww.facebook.com/MassachusettsEMA; and YouTube at www.youtube.com/MassachusettsEMA. Massachusetts Alerts: to receive emergency information on your smartphone, including severe weather alerts from the National Weather Service and emergency information from MEMA, download the Massachusetts Alerts free app. To learn more about Massachusetts Alerts, and for additional information on how to download the free app onto your smartphone, visit:www.mass.gov/mema/mobileapp.
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
353 AM EST MON JAN 26 2015
...A CRIPPLING AND POTENTIALLY HISTORIC BLIZZARD WILL IMPACT THE
AREA MAINLY FROM LATE TODAY INTO TUESDAY...LINGERING INTO EARLY
WEDNESDAY...
MAZ002>004-008>011-026-261700-
/O.CON.KBOX.WS.W.0003.150127T0000Z-150128T0600Z/
WESTERN FRANKLIN MA-EASTERN FRANKLIN MA-NORTHERN WORCESTER MA-
WESTERN HAMPSHIRE MA-WESTERN HAMPDEN MA-EASTERN HAMPSHIRE MA-
EASTERN HAMPDEN MA-NORTHERN MIDDLESEX MA-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...CHARLEMONT...GREENFIELD...ORANGE...
BARRE...FITCHBURG...CHESTERFIELD...BLANDFORD...AMHERST...
NORTHAMPTON...SPRINGFIELD...AYER
353 AM EST MON JAN 26 2015
...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING
TO 1 AM EST WEDNESDAY...
* LOCATIONS...PORTIONS OF WESTERN AND CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS.
* HAZARD TYPES...HEAVY SNOW ALONG WITH CONSIDERABLE BLOWING AND
DRIFTING SNOW. NEAR BLIZZARD CONDITIONS ARE POSSIBLE.
* ACCUMULATIONS...SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF AROUND 20 TO 30 INCHES...
WITH LOCALLY HIGHER AMOUNTS. SNOWFALL RATES OF 2 TO 4 INCHES AN
HOUR AT TIMES.
* TIMING...WHILE THE STORM IS EXPECTED LATE TODAY LINGERING INTO
EARLY WEDNESDAY...THE WORST OF THE STORM WILL BE TONIGHT
THROUGH TUESDAY AFTERNOON.
* IMPACTS...HEAVY SNOW AND STRONG WINDS MAY RESULT IN WHITE-OUT
/ BLIZZARD CONDITIONS WITH NEAR ZERO VISIBILITY AT TIMES.
TRAVEL WILL BE DIFFICULT TO NEAR IMPOSSIBLE AND LIFE-
THREATENING ACROSS THE ENTIRE REGION.
* WINDS...NORTH-NORTHEAST 15 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS AROUND 35 TO
45 MPH. THE HEIGHT OF THE WINDS WILL BE LATE MONDAY NIGHT INTO
TUESDAY.
* VISIBILITIES...ONE QUARTER MILE OR LESS AT TIMES.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A WINTER STORM WARNING IS ISSUED WHEN AN AVERAGE OF 6 OR MORE
INCHES OF SNOW IS EXPECTED IN A 12 HOUR PERIOD...OR FOR 8 OR MORE
INCHES IN A 24 HOUR PERIOD. TRAVEL WILL BE SLOW AT BEST ON WELL
TREATED SURFACES...AND QUITE DIFFICULT ON ANY UNPLOWED OR
UNTREATED SURFACES.
ALL UNNECESSARY TRAVEL IS DISCOURAGED BEGINNING MONDAY
AFTERNOON... TO ALLOW PEOPLE ALREADY ON THE ROAD TO SAFELY REACH
THEIR DESTINATION BEFORE THE HEAVY SNOW BEGINS...AND TO ALLOW
SNOW REMOVAL EQUIPMENT TO BEGIN TO CLEAR ROADS.
&&
$$
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