Monday, February 11, 2013
We've got some rough estimates, but we need your measurements!
There's no doubt about it -- the recent blizzard left quite a bit of snow for Newton to clean up. But how much snow? Although the National Weather Service does not have an exact total for Newton, snowfall amounts have been recorded for several surrounding towns, including Waltham, Brookline, Wellesley and West Roxbury. Averaging the snowfall provided by towns that border Newton (Brookline, Waltham, Wellesley and West Roxbury), the city likely received around 25 inches, or just over two feet. Did you take snowfall measurements in Newton? How much snowfall did the city get? Tell us in the comments section below! In the meantime, here are the snowfall amounts for the nearby cities and towns (provided by the National Weather Service): For …
Police are also urging residents to take caution on the roads today.
If you're out and about in the city today and tomorrow, there's no need to dig through the seat for change. Parking meters will not be in effect Feb. 11-12, according to an alert sent this morning by the Newton Police Department. The Newton Police Department is also advising drivers Monday to use caution while out on the roads. Rainy weather and cold temperatures have created slick roads, which are made worse by the leftover snow and slush from the recent blizzard. For more local blizzard coverage, check out our Newton Storm Center.
Many parents and teachers took to social media Sunday night to express their opinions about Monday's school cancellation in Newton.
After the Friday-Saturday blizzard dumped nearly two feet of snow on Newton, school officials decided Sunday night to cancel school for Monday, Feb. 11. Once the announcement was made, several parents and teachers took to social media to express their opinions on the decision to cancel school. Here's a sampling of what we saw: @ctanowitz: Wish #Newton schools would give a reason for closing schools in the phone message. Parents aren't happy. Cc: @14thVillage @NewtonMAPatch @Mr_Martenis: @ctanowitz @NewtonMAPatch #Newton Teachers are frustrated as well. @dlluce: @Mr_Martenis @ctanowitz @newtonmapatch how about the safety of the children comes first. I think that's the best reason EVER. @traxbrah: #Newton students are happy @NewtonMAPatch @…
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Light, fluffy snow on rooftops can act as a sponge for rain, which is in the forecast for Monday. The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency offers these tips.
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With rain in Newton's forecast for Monday, the Blizzard of '13 may not be finished wreaking havoc in Massachusetts. While temperatures dropped overnight on Friday resulting in light, fluffy snow, he Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) warns that fluffy snow piled high on roofs can act as a sponge, absorbing rain and adding additional stress to structures. Relatively flat roofs are particularly vulnerable, MEMA says. In other cases, roof ice dams have formed causing water build-up, leading to interior damage. These conditions can accelerate the snowmelt. To minimize the risk of over-stressing a building roof due to accumulated or drifting snow: Information from a release by the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) …
Power outages were minimal during the storm, according to city officials.
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Saturday, February 9, 2013
Power outages were minimal during the storm, according to city officials.
[Update 7:24 p.m. - The city has lifted the snow emergency and parking ban as of 8 p.m. Saturday] -- As the historic February 2013 blizzard winds down, Newton city officials are urging residents to stay home, if possible, as crews continue to clear roads, sidewalks and municipal parking lots. "If [residents] do not need to be out, please stay home," Mayor Setti Warren told Newton Patch this afternoon. "We have a lot of work to do." The city-wide parking ban and snow emergency will remain in effect for the time being, officials said, and the city's emergency operations center at Newton Fire Headquarters will also be in place through Sunday morning. Newton DPW Commissioner Dave Turocy reported Saturday that all streets are open and …
Need some help digging out? Or, are you offering shoveling services? Let's try and help out our Newton neighbors during the blizzard.
As Newton works to dig itself out of this historic snowstorm, many residents may be stuck inside unable to shovel. The city of Newton has compiled a list of locals who are willing to shovel sidewalks and driveways for a fee. Information on where those shovelers live (neighborhoods), and their contact info, is available on the city's website. But if your name is not on the list and you're willing to help out a neighbor with some shoveling, leave a comment below to let people know. If you or someone you know needs help shoveling, please leave a comment below as well. The city of Newton's trial snow shoveling ordinance asks all property owners to shovel sidewalks in front of their homes within 30 hours of a storm. For more Newton storm …
The transit shutdown will continue indefinitely.
The now two-day blizzard that has crushed Newton has caused the MBTA to stay shut down through Saturday. “Due to the impacts of a severe winter storm, MBTA service will remain suspended on all modes Saturday, February 9, 2013,” says a post on MBTA.com. MBTA personnel will be clearing tracks in an effort to get the subways, commuter rail trains and buses back up and running. The MBTA does not have an estimate on when service will resume. For more Newton storm information, check out our Newton Storm Center for all the updates you need. You can also receive Newton storm updates by following us on Facebook, Twitter or our email newsletters.
The Saturday suspension of mail delivery debate applies to today, but not because of USPS budget problems!
You may be wondering if there'll be any new mail in your mailbox today (that is, if you can even make it to your mailbox with all this snow.) The answer is that mail service in all of New England — not just Massachusetts — has been suspended, according to the Huffington Post. The ban extends throughout all six New England states. The unusual decision was made due to safety concerns, according to Postal Service spokeswoman Christine Dugas. The decision came after over two feet of snow falling throughout much of New England made many roads impassable, she said. Dugas reminded people to clear around their mailboxes or paths to their homes by Monday, when mail delivery will resume. For more Newton storm information, check out our Newton Storm …
DJ
12:31 pm on Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Yes, yes and yes to everything you said. Drove my kid to NNHS today and was appalled at houses ON WALNUT STREET who hadn't shoveled their walks, and watching kids just climb snow banks to get to school, fighting alongside cars attempting to park and regular busy morning traffic. Checked out her .5 mile walk from the bus stop (which she normally takes) to our house, and again big stretches of … more ›