Boston schools canceled for Tuesday as region prepares for nor’easter, snow emergency declared

BOSTON — Boston has canceled public schools for Tuesday and municipal offices will also be closed as the region prepares for an expected nor’easter.

Mayor Michelle Wu on Monday declared a snow emergency ahead of the forecasted winter storm that is expected to dump up to a foot of snow in Boston, officials said.

City officials urged residents to stay off the roads and “do not crowd the plow” with their cars to stay safe.

The city’s Public Works Department will treat Boston’s roads prior to the snowfall starting, and officials said the city has the ability to put over 800 pieces of equipment on city streets. The department currently has 40,000 tons of salt on hand, officials said.

Emergency shelters will be open all day for people who need them, Wu said during a press conference on Monday morning.

Boston braces for impact of significant snowfall for first time in almost two years

“Most importantly, please remember to check in, reach out to your family, neighbors, loved ones, friends. Make sure everybody has a plan to stay inside and stay safe and warm,” Wu said.

Boston Chief of Emergency Management Shumeane Benford encouraged residents to shovel out fire hydrants near their homes during the weather emergency.

A parking ban will take effect starting at 10 p.m. Monday. Once the parking ban begins, vehicles parked on major roads and main arteries will be towed.

Boston residents with a resident sticker can find a list of free and discounted garages here. Parking at participating garages will begin at 8 p.m. on Monday. Discounted parking starts two hours before officials declare a snow emergency, and ends two hours after lifting the emergency.

City officials are urging residents to abide by snow regulations and encouraging all drivers to use caution if traveling.

Residents are also encouraged to sign up for emergency notifications through AlertBoston and to call 311 for non-emergency related issues. For any emergency, residents should call 911.

Trash and recycling pick-up will start two hours early on Tuesday at 4 a.m. Residents may download the Trash Day App for more information on trash and recycling pick-up schedules.

Nighttime street sweeping on main roads, arteries, and commercial roads is canceled until further notice. Updates will be provided on boston.gov when night time street sweeping is scheduled to resume.

Parking is not allowed in Boston Public Schools parking lots during snowstorms. Vehicles may be towed if they are parked in BPS parking lots during the snow emergency.

Residents have 48 hours to use a space saver after the end of an emergency. After that, residents must remove it from the street. Space savers are banned in the South End.

Wu also discussed the region’s migrant crisis on Monday morning ahead of the expected storm.

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About 25 percent of the city’s shelter beds have been taken by newly-arrived migrants, Wu said.

“Overall it has been putting some pressure” on the capacity of the city’s shelter system, she said.

City officials are opening up The Engagement Center on Atkinson Street to address shelter overflow concerns ahead of the storm, she said.

City officials offered the following tips ahead of the expected storm:

Rules on clearing snow:

· 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 the storm lasts for an extended period of time, property owners are asked to continually check and clear ramps abutting their property.

· Removal of snow and ice from a private property to the street or sidewalk is prohibited.

· Failure to comply with these rules can result in fines issued by PWD’s Code Enforcement Division.

Caring for vulnerable populations:

· If you see individuals experiencing homelessness or vulnerable individuals out in the cold who appear immobile, disoriented or underdressed for the weather, please call 911.

· Boston’s emergency shelters are open 24-hours a day and accept walk-ins. Amnesty is offered to anyone with a non-violent restriction. 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 to ensure that no client is without shelter, food, resources, and a warm respite from the cold.

· 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.

Safety tips:

· Keep catch basins and fire hydrants clear. 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 signs of overexertion. Stop if you feel chest pain, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, nausea, or vomiting. Call 911 if those symptoms do not resolve quickly.

· Snow piles can make navigating intersections dangerous for pedestrians 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 (e.g. gas exhaust for heating systems or dryers) and vehicle exhaust pipes of snow.

· 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.

Dress for the weather:

· Wear several layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing rather than one layer of heavy clothing.

· Outer garments should be tightly woven and water repellent.

· Wear mittens over gloves; layering works for your hands as well.

· Always wear a hat, and cover your mouth with a scarf to protect your lungs.

· Dress children warmly, and set reasonable time limits on outdoor play.

· Restrict infants’ outdoor exposure when it is colder than 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

Watch for signs of frostbite:

· Signs of frostbite include loss of feeling and white or pale appearance in extremities such as fingers, toes, ear lobes, and the tip of the nose. If symptoms are detected, get medical help immediately.

Watch for signs of hypothermia:

· These include uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness and apparent exhaustion. If you or someone you know shows any of these symptoms, get in touch with a healthcare provider immediately. If symptoms are severe, call 911.

Heating safety:

· Never try to heat your home using a charcoal or gas grill, the kitchen stove, or other product not specifically designed as a heater. These can cause a fire or produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide very quickly.

· Have your heating system cleaned and checked annually.

· Install and maintain smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your home. Carbon monoxide is an invisible gas produced whenever any fuel is burned. Common sources include oil or gas furnaces, water heaters, fireplaces, stoves, and some space heaters. It has no smell, taste, or color, and it is poisonous and potentially deadly.

· Don’t place electric space heaters near curtains or other flammable materials. Turn them off before you go to bed.

Emergency home repair resources:

· Income-eligible homeowners and Boston’s residents over age 60 can receive assistance with winter emergencies and repairs, such as fixing storm damage, leaking roofs, furnaces and leaking/frozen pipes. For assistance, residents should call the Mayor’s hotline at 311 or the Boston Home Center at 617-635-HOME (4663).

· In addition, the Mayor’s Seniors Save program helps income eligible Bostonians over the age of 60 replace old, inefficient heating systems with a brand new heating system before a catastrophic failure occurs during the cold winter months. Older adults can also call 311 or the Boston Home Center at 617-635-HOME (4663) to be connected with a City staffer to provide additional details.

For a full list of school closures, click here.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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