‘Stay home’: Wu cancels school for Tuesday, urges Boston residents to clear out snow safely

BOSTON — Boston Public Schools will be closed on Tuesday, and the city is extending a snow emergency and parking ban until at least 6 p.m. Tuesday, the mayor said Monday afternoon.

“We need everyone to stay home,” Boston Mayor Michelle Wu told reporters just after 5 p.m. as a powerful blizzard pummeled the region, causing power outages across Massachusetts and stranding drivers and disabling vehicles along roadways.

More than 15 inches of snow had fallen in Boston as of 3 p.m., with many neighborhoods seeing more than that, officials said.

More than 700 snow plows were still out clearing city roads around 5 p.m., with 900 plows fanning out across the city at the height of the storm, Wu said.

City crews responded to at least 25 emergency calls for downed trees, Wu said.

While some power outages were reported in the city, “many of those have been resolved,” Wu said.

Once the storm has ended, the mayor urged residents to shovel sidewalks to a 42” path of travel. Wu also urged residents to shovel around fire hydrants.

“Please shovel out your cars sooner rather than later,” Wu said. “Try not to throw snow out into the street or sidewalk.”

However, city officials urged residents to shovel safely as the snow is heavy, and people with underlying medical conditions should be extra careful.

During the cleanup, fire officials urged residents to beware of carbon monoxide risks, both indoors and outdoors, with potential blockages around exhaust pipes.

Boston city officials talk about emergency responses during blizzard, storm cleanup safety

Do not sit in your car until the exhaust is cleared from snow, fire officials said, and roll your vehicle windows down to keep fresh air in the vehicle.

And stay away from downed power lines, officials said.

Boston Public Library branches, senior centers, and Boston Centers for Youth & Families will reopen at 12 p.m. on Tuesday, Wu said. All other municipal buildings and city services will operate regular hours tomorrow.

The snow emergency and parking ban in effect will be in place until at least Tuesday at 6 p.m., Wu said. Residents parked in participating discounted garages must remove their cars by two hours after it’s lifted to avoid being charged regular rates.

Space savers should be removed 48 hours after the end of the snow emergency. The use of space savers is prohibited at all times in the South End and Bay Village.

Wu spoke a short time after Gov. Maura Healey issued a travel ban in three Massachusetts counties as the blizzard caused treacherous conditions.

Across Massachusetts, including on Cape Cod, multiple roads became “impassable” during the blizzard.

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

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