Snow Emergency starts 3 am tonight

[ron_newman]

I just got this official e-mail from a local mailing list:

From: <snow-alert-admin@ci.somerville.ma.us>

Based on current weather projections, the City of Somerville will be declaring a snow emergency effective at 3 a.m. Friday, February 22nd. During snow emergencies, parking is allowed on the odd-numbered side of the street only (unless otherwise posted). Cars not moved by 7 a.m. Friday may be subject to ticketing and towing.

BEGINNING THURSDAY AT 8 PM, residents unable to find a parking space on the odd-numbered side of the street may park in any municipal lot or in designated school parking lots.

For additional information, please call the city’s 311 constituent service line, which may also be reach outside the city by dialing 617-666-3311 – or visit the city’s website at www.somervillema.gov. Thank you.

Comments

Best Bet - Move Your Car TONIGHT

[tomchampion.livejournal.com]

As all you old Somerville hands already know, we can't start tagging and towing until 4 hours AFTER the official declaration of a snow emergency, which accounts for the 3 a.m. start.

Originally we weren't going to declare until 9 a.m., thereby requiring people to have their cars moved by 1 p.m., but this storm has been accelerating and intensifying, so DPW has had to adjust its response plan.

If you want to move to a city or school lot tonight, please go right ahead.

Remember, zero hour is 7 a.m. not 3 a.m., so you've got just under 12 hours to get ready.

I apologize for the less-than-ideal timing -- but at least you have ample warning.

[bikergeek.livejournal.com]

All I can say is, I'm glad I got milk and bread last night, before the French Toast Hordes got a chance to descend on the supermarkets.

Re: Best Bet - Move Your Car TONIGHT

[mamajoan.livejournal.com]

From the National Weather Service alert (http://www.weather.com/weather/newscenter/alerts?alertId=907157):
ONCE THE SNOW OVERSPREADS THE REGION... IT SHOULD QUICKLY BECOME MODERATE TO HEAVY REDUCING VISIBILITIES TO ONE HALF MILE OR LESS AT TIMES THROUGH THE AFTERNOON. SURFACE TEMPERATURES BELOW FREEZING SHOULD ALLOW FOR THE SNOW TO QUICKLY ACCUMULATE ON UNTREATED ROADWAYS...MAKING FOR HAZARDOUS TRAVEL.

I hope the city of Somerville is going to take the rather large hint included up there, and treat the roadways overnight before the snow hits?

I'm headed out to spread some snowmelt on my sidewalk right now.

[maelithil.livejournal.com]

Man, are we really getting that much snow?

Last I checked we could expect flurries, and now weather.com is telling me that it's going to snow until Saturday afternoon. Ah, New England.

Re: Best Bet - Move Your Car TONIGHT

[tomchampion.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately, with the very low temps expected tonight, pre-treating with salt or chemical melter won't do much good. Starting in the early morning, the city WILL, however, be sanding.

[diatomacearth.livejournal.com]

Man, and here I was thinking how nice it was that we hadn't had a snow emergency in awhile, and wondering if we might get through the end of winter without another one.

I'm sorry, Somerville. I didn't mean to jinx us.

Re: Best Bet - Move Your Car TONIGHT

[chenoameg.livejournal.com]

Thank you SO MUCH for making the robocall tonight instead of early tomorrow morning.

[ukelele.livejournal.com]

Personally, I don't care if we're getting that much or not -- the important thing is, my school called a snow day ;).

[maelithil.livejournal.com]

Mine didn't. :(

[ukelele.livejournal.com]

Aw, bummer :(.

Well, if it's any consolation, the first two years I worked there, there were no snow days at all, even when literally hundreds of districts/schools were cancelling...so they owe me ;).

blue blinking light still doesn't work

[ron_newman]

At noon, the "snow emergency when flashing" blue light in Davis Square was neither lit nor blinking. I haven't walked by any others, so I don't know if the rest of them are working properly.

Re: Best Bet - Move Your Car TONIGHT

[pierceheart.livejournal.com]

I want to say thanks: I'm one of the ones who complains about the emergencies that get declared so that ticketing starts in the middle of a workday.

This was an excellent call, despite what some naysayers may think - ample warning, and plows are free-er to move BEFORE the big accumulations!

Thanks, Somerville!