For Immediate Release: 2/1/2015 4:56 pm
Worcester, MA (February 1, 2015) - The City is again preparing for a significant winter storm, with forecasters predicting up to a foot of snow to fall on the City between late Sunday and Monday evening.
Snow is expected to start locally late tonight, dropping 1-3 inches overnight. It will continue all throughout Monday, bringing an additional 7-11 inches. The heaviest snow may fall during the Monday morning commute, making travel very difficult at that time. The snow is expected to taper off and end Monday night. The total prediction for Worcester is 10-14 inches of light fluffy snow.
Winds are not a major concern for the Worcester area. Gusts should be around 15-25 mph. So snow will blow in gusts but not sustained. Temperatures will be very cold and below zero after the storm clears out. Residents should dress appropriately - in several layers of warm, loose-fitting clothing - during snow removal.
City Manager Edward Augustus and key staff members from the Department of Public Works, Emergency Management, Police and Fire met by conference call Sunday afternoon to coordinate the City's response.
Worcester's fleet of nearly 400 pieces of snow removal equipment - including City-owned vehicles and private contractors - will be ready to go when and if the snow starts falling Sunday night. Drivers of salt and sand trucks will report to work late Sunday evening to start treating the roads, and the rest of the operators will be called in when needed.
Crews lent to the City by the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency have been working throughout the City since Thursday, clearing some of the large snow piles at key intersections. That work continued into Sunday, when front-end loaders and dump trucks removed piles around downtown Worcester.
The City's declared parking ban remains in place. Vehicles are not allowed to park on the City's major streets, bus routes or any street downtown. Parking on other streets is restricted to the odd numbered side, unless otherwise posted. Check the City's Website for details about a particular street.
Augustus has again waived the fee to park at municipal garages overnight. This will allow residents to move their cars off the streets, helping plows clear snow and saving drivers from a lot of shoveling. Cars should be moved from the garages by 8:00 AM Monday, or they will be charged at the normal rate.
The main downtown branch of the Worcester Public Library will be open normal hours. Other branches will be closed on Monday.
The City also warned residents to monitor the amount of snow on their roofs. Although the snow is expected to be light, some structures are still carrying nearly three feet of snow from last week's blizzard. Also, clear exhaust vents from direct vent gas furnace systems to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. And never run an automobile until the exhaust pipe has been cleared of snow. A set of roof collapse safety tips is also available.
