Springfield, MA – Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and Department of Public Works (DPW) Director Christopher Cignoli joined with city officials and representatives from Eversource for an emergency situational update at the Raymond Sullivan Fire Department Safety Complex to address the pending nor’easter snow storm that is predicted to bring approximately up to 18’’ of snow on Sunday, January 25th into Monday, January 26th. Along with the significant snow accumulation that is anticipated, temperatures are expected to be in the teens, with the wind chill bringing temperatures down into -10 to -20 degrees below zero.
Police Superintendent Larry Akers, Fire Commissioner BJ Calvi, Health and Human Services (HHS) Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris, Springfield Public Schools (SPS) Superintendent Dr. Sonia Dinnall, Tom Ashe, Executive Director of Parks, Buildings and Recreational Management (PBRM), Springfield Parking Authority (SPA) Executive Director Bokul Bhuiya, Chief Administrative and Financial Officer (CAFO) Cathy Buono, City Solicitor Stephen Buoniconti, Housing Director Gerry McCafferty, Deputy Building Commissioner Mark Hebert, Deputy Fire Chief Tyrone Denson, Chief of Staff Bill Baker, and Michael Vedovelli from Eversource were also in attendance.
Mayor Sarno states, “My administration and our dedicated city team are tested and true in dealing with any weather Mother Nature sends our way. As we have done during previous significant natural or manmade disasters and winter events, I have alerted my department heads to have ‘all-hands-on-deck’ for this significant and long deration snow event we are anticipated to get hit with on Sunday and into Monday. I also cannot stress this enough, please help our dedicated plow trucks out and obey the parking ban!”
“DPW will have all available trucks ready, this includes our city trucks and private plows under contract. Police are prepared to enforce the parking ban to ticket and tow, if necessary, so that our plow trucks and emergency service vehicles such as Fire and ambulances can safely access streets,” said Mayor Sarno. “The Springfield Parking Authority will have their garages and service level parking lots open for off-street parking for our downtown residents. Springfield Public Schools will be closed Monday and Tuesday, and Superintendent Dr. Sonia Dinnall and I will continue to monitor the situation and alert families, students and teachers for any additional delays or cancelations.”
“Additionally, with the weather also expecting to be in the low single digits, Health and Human Services Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris and I want to remind everyone to check in on their neighbors, especially our elderly, to make sure they are ok and safe. Also, this weather is cold for our beloved pets, so make sure they are brought inside and kept warm too. We are urging residents and businesses to be prepared ahead of time to ride out this extreme weather. I thank our residents and businesses for their patience, understanding and cooperation. As we have done before, working together we will get through this weather event.”
Extreme winter weather events can pose a serious public safety risk. It can lead to travel delays and interruptions, roof collapses, communications disruptions, water pipes bursting, and power outages. Winter storms are also associated with storm-related deaths caused by automobile accidents, heart attacks due to overexertion, freezing to death, and carbon monoxide incidents.
Residents are encouraged to take all precautions during these significant winter weather events.
- Follow any public emergency alerts and notices – including parking bans and travel restrictions
- Keep off frozen bodies of water such as lakes or ponds as the ice may not be thick enough to hold your weight
- Keep electrical devices such as cell phones, laptops and medical devices charged
- Notify the electric company of any medical devices that rely upon power
- Keep gutters and roofs clear of heavy snow accumulation to avoid property damage and roof collapse
- Try and keep snow away from your houses foundation to avoid water damage when the snow begins to melt
- Ensure smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are working with fresh batteries
- Maintain heating equipment and generators if you have them. Do not run generators inside your house or inside the garage, and keep them a safe distance away from your house.
- Clear exhaust vents to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning
- Never use your oven or stove as a heating source
- Minimize outdoor activities and drive only when necessary
- Keep pets safe and indoors
- Dress appropriately for the weather to protect against the elements
- Report any emergencies to 9-1-1
- Stay away from any downed utility wires
- Be a good neighbor and check on family, friends and neighbors, especially the elderly and those who live alone or with medical conditions
- Locate and have a clear access to the main water shut off valve/switch in house in case of water pipes bursting due to extreme cold weather.
The most recent situational awareness report from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), indicates that a cold weather advisory is in effect as dangerous wind chills are expected to peak late Friday, January 23rd into early Saturday, January 24th, with freezing temperatures between 0 degree to -13 degrees.
MEMA is also reporting that gusty and cold weather will continue into Tuesday, January 27th, with 35-45 mph winds.
Because of the significant impact anticipated from this nor’easter snow storm that is anticipated to bring up to 12’’ to 18’’ of snow along with freezing temperatures over multiple days, Mayor Sarno is declaring a citywide State of Emergency beginning Sunday, January 25th.
During this Municipal State of Emergency, the following public notice actions are going to take place:
- A citywide parking ban will go into effect at 7:00 am, Sunday, January 25th, to get vehicles off the streets to make plowing operations easier. Please note, No Parking on the EVEN side of the street from 7:00 pm to 7:00 am, and No Parking on the ODD side of the street from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
- A reverse 9-1-1 robocall will go out Friday, January 23rd, Saturday, January 24th, and Sunday, January 25th reminding residents of the parking ban
- The Springfield Police Department will be enforcing ticketing and towing during the period of the parking ban.
- DPW will begin pre-treating the roads Saturday night into Sunday morning, and continue with snow plow and clearing operations over the next couple of days.
- Springfield Public Schools will be closed Monday, January 26th and Tuesday, January 27th.
- Municipal buildings, such as City Hall, will be closed Monday, January 26th.
- Any storm related expenses will be recorded and cataloged for any possible reimbursement aspects as a result of the state of emergency with FEMA.
- All local emergency services and emergency personnel will be working during the duration of the storm.
The City of Springfield DPW has about 100 plows under contract. With over 800 streets and over 1,100 lane miles of roadway, and due to the volume of the anticipated snow from this nor’easter, it will take approximately over 24 hours to complete plowing operations throughout the city. It is anticipated that plowing operations will continue over the multiple days, with clean-up operations ongoing where snow will be hauled away, if necessary.
The City’s Cold Weather Task Force has been alerted and will be actively seeking out homeless individuals to make sure they are brought to the appropriate homeless shelter and overflow shelters in advance of the storm.
Residents are encouraged to clear snow away from fire hydrants, and from their roofs and gutters, if possible, and to move snow away from the foundation of their homes to avoid potential flooding hazards.
Although the snow is expected to be light, residents are encouraged to take it easy with shoveling and to not overexert themselves, especially if they have pre-existing medical or physical conditions.
Residents are also encouraged to plan ahead by reviewing the following:
- Fill up their vehicles and snow blowers with gas
- Check vehicles and make sure they have plenty of gas
- Check flashlights and batteries
- Have shovels readily accessible
- Obey the parking ban. Move all vehicles off the roadway – if possible
- Check and maintain proper heating sources and never use a stove or oven for heat
- Check and test smoke and CO alarms
- Be mindful for the potential of freezing water pipes – know where your main shutoff valve is
- Dress warm with layered clothing and limit time spent outside, if possible.
With the temperatures expecting to be in the low single digits, city officials are asking residents to stay alert and check in on their neighbors, especially the elderly. The weather is also too cold for our beloved pets, so make sure they are brought inside and kept warm too.
Eversource and the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission are closely monitoring the weather situation and are ready to respond in case of any emergencies of power outages or burst water pipes in the public roads.
