For Immediate Release: 2/11/2015 3:45 pm
Worcester, MA (February 11, 2015) - Hardworking Department of Public Works crews in Worcester will get some help this week after City Manager Edward Augustus appealed to the State, the National Guard and some of the City's colleges and universities for help clearing the recent record snowfall.
The City's DPW has been working without a day off since January 20th to clear some of the historic amounts of snow that has hit the City over the past three weeks.
The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency on Tuesday committed to send more heavy equipment to Worcester to help clear some of the large piles of snow from around the City. MEMA will send six front-end loaders and about 20 dump trucks to Worcester to help clear historic amounts of snow from strategic locations around the City. That work will be done at night this week and on the weekend to minimize traffic problems.
The National Guard has also sent three four-person teams to Worcester to help shovel out fire hydrants and other key areas. That work will be going on throughout the day.
On Wednesday, City Manager Augustus asked the City's college and universities for a few extra pairs of hands. The schools agreed, and clubs, athletic teams and student groups from a number of local colleges will be out this week shoveling out hydrants around their Worcester campuses.
This help is in addition to the inmate crews working under the supervision of the office of Worcester County Sheriff Lewis G. Evangelidis and members of Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr.'s Diversion Program. Those crews have been helping to clear city-owned sidewalks and parks for the past three weeks.
City Manager Edward Augustus thanks all the groups for their help in supporting the tireless efforts of the City's workforce.
"Our city employees and contractors have been doing yeoman's work over the past three weeks, but this is an all-hands-on-deck situation," Augustus said. "The entire community is pitching in, and I'm grateful for their help. I want to thank MEMA, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, the National Guard and our colleges and universities for helping Worcester dig out from this unprecedented series of storms."
Worcester's average yearly snowfall is 64.1 inches. Over 20 days, Worcester received 78 inches, or 6.5 feet of snow. The city has set new records for snowfall over 14-, 20- and 30-day spans.
In that time, City crews and private contractors have plowed roughly 686.4 million cubic feet of snow. That would be enough to fill the DCU Center 83 times.
The recent snow has generally been light, but given the historic amounts roof collapses can be a concern. If not cleared, dry, fluffy snow piled on roofs can act as a sponge, absorbing any additional snow, sleet and rain, adding weight and stress to structures. Flat, commercial roofs are most susceptible if they are not draining properly. In many cases, roof ice dams can form causing water build-up, leading to interior damage. Find more tips on Roof Collapse Safety Information.
The City also urged residents to be aware of the danger of carbon monoxide. Drivers should always be sure to clear car exhaust pipes of any snow. Homeowners should also check outside fuel exhaust vents, making sure that they are not obstructed by snow or ice.
