Above: The snowstorm from Sunday – Monday comes with additional hazards, including the potential covering of hydrants. (images cropped from Facebook)
Obviously a local blog isn’t the best source for up to the minute developments on storm forecasts. But to help ensure that readers are prepared to brace for what’s coming our way, I wanted to share some local safety info and links, plus add a key detail that I neglected to include with yesterday’s post.
The forecast from the National Weather Service includes days of low temperatures lasting well beyond the two full days of snow.
The forecast is for brutal cold on Saturday before the storm. Once the storm hits, temps through Thursday will have highs not expected to get much above 20° and with windchills, lows will be below zero.
That means homes without power could become dangerously cold. It will also make things difficult (and potentially dangerous) for workers trying to restore power, emergency responders, and those just trying to dig themselves out.
And the updated forecast has 70-80% probability of Southborough getting 12-18″ of new snow. Plus it extends the periods of 20+mph wind gusts during the storm. That’s now expected for about 17 hours Sunday night through Monday evening.
I’ll also remind that during the storm, The National Weather Service had already warned to expect times when driving is “Dangerous or impossible”. The public is cautioned to avoid travel and expect potential “Widespread closures and disruptions to infrastructure”.
As I noted yesterday, since it is a widespread storm, it could take longer than usual for utilities to restore lost power.
Given the timing of the storm, I’d plan for the possibility of school being cancelled on Monday and Town facilities to be closed. (And if you’re planning to work remotely, prepare to deal with potential internet outages even if you have backup power.)
Years ago, when a serious winter storm with cold temps was forecast for Southborough, the head of Southborough Emergency Management shared the following safety tips to take in advance:
- Ensure you have an adequate level of home heating oil and/or propane
- Fuel up your vehicle(s)
- Test your flashlights
- Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
- Test your generators and review safety and proper operations
- Test your snowblower and review safety and proper operations
- Mark the location of all exhaust vents around the foundation of your home, especially direct-vent furnaces.
- Make sure to keep all vents clear throughout and after (blowing snow) the storm. Blocked vents can result in elevated carbon monoxide levels inside your home
(I’ll add, make sure your cellphones and any backup batteries are charged!)
Yesterday, the Southborough Fire Department posted a reminder on Facebook about their “Adopt a Fire Hydrant” program.
To help them help you in case of a fire, residents are asked to note the hydrants near them, and help clear any that get covered/blocked by snow when the streets are plowed.
And that also reminds me — the Winter Parking Ban doesn’t just prohibit parking cars on the street overnight parking. It also bans parking on the street during any snowstorms.
Important Links
To keep abreast of the latest official forecasts for our town, you can check out the National Weather Services’ website here and Facebook page here.
And during the storm and aftermath:
If you need to check on or report power outages, the National Grid map is here.
To see if the Town issues any news on roads closed due to downed lines, etc, you can check out the following Town Facebook pages:
For any Town facility closures, those are often announced over their Twitter account here.
