New Bedford Winter Storm Update (2 Jan, 2014)

The City of New Bedford continues its preparations for a significant winter storm and encourages residents to exercise caution as forecasts call for temperatures to plummet overnight. The National Weather Service’s Winter Storm Warning remains in effect in New Bedford until tomorrow, Friday, January 3, 2013 at 10:00 A.M. A coastal storm will bring heavy snow along with dangerously low wind chills tonight and near blizzard conditions at times across portions of eastern Massachusetts.

The periodic snow experienced throughout the day will turn heavy this evening into early Friday morning with 1 to 2 inch per hour snowfall rates possible. A total of 8-12 inches of snow accumulation is predicted for the Greater New Bedford Area.

Heavy snow and gusty winds will result in low wind chills along with considerable blowing and drifting snow. Near blizzard conditions will be possible for a time tonight into early Friday resulting in whiteout conditions.

Citywide Snow Emergency Parking Ban as of 5 P.M. Tonight (Thurs. Jan 2)
The City of New Bedford has announced a citywide snow emergency parking ban to take effect this evening, Thursday, January 2, 2014, as of 5:00 P.M. The parking ban will remain in effect for 48-hours thereafter, unless lifted or further extended by City officials. The parking ban is designed to allow City workers to efficiently remove snow from New Bedford roadways to allow public safety vehicles and residents to travel safely.

While the snow emergency parking ban is in effect, parking is permitted on the side of the street that is opposite the fire hydrants. No vehicle should be parked on the same side of the street as a fire hydrant, except on streets that are regularly posted for parking on one side of the street only. In posted areas, residents are to obey the signs as usual.

The citywide parking ban will be double-sided in both the Acushnet Avenue Business District and the Downtown Business District. Downtown parking is available at no charge in the Elm Street and the Zeiterion Parking Garages.

Violations of this parking regulation will be subject to ticketing at $50 per ticket and towing at full cost to the owner of the vehicle towed. The vehicle owner is also responsible for the full cost of storage for any towed vehicle.

The City of New Bedford has designated the following areas as preferred parking areas for those residents in need of off-street parking while the emergency snow parking ban is in effect:

· Victory Park – Brock Avenue
· Hazelwood Park – Brock Avenue
· Roosevelt Middle School – Brock Avenue and Dennis Street
· Cove Street Parking Lot – Cove Street and Morton Court
· Orchard Street at Camara Soccer Field
· Congdon School – Thompson and Hemlock Street
· Buttonwood Park Parking Area – Hawthorn Street Side and Lake Street Side
· Former St. Mary’s Home – Entrance on Mill Street
· Coggeshall Street Parking Lot – Coggeshall Street and Acushnet Avenue
· Sawyer Street Parking Lot – Between Sawyer Street and Beetle Street
· Brooklawn Park Parking Area – Brooklawn Street (South Side)
· Normandin Middle School – Tarkiln Hill Road
· Jireh Swift School – Tarkiln Hill Road
· Campbell School – Phillips Road
· Riverside Park Lot – Coffin Avenue
· Coffin Avenue Lot- Across from Taber Mills Apartments
· Alma del Mar Charter School (former Ottiwell School) – 26 Madeira Avenue
· Former AVX site on Bellville Avenue at Hadley Street
· Philips Avenue School – 249 Phillips Avenue
· DeValles School – 120 Katherine Street
· Parker School – 705 County Street
· Elm Street Garage
· Zeiterion Garage – 688 Purchase Street

New Bedford Public Schools Closed on Friday, January 3, 2014
New Bedford Public Schools will be closed tomorrow, Friday, January 3. The offices at the Administration Building, High School and Middle Schools will also be closed. After school and evening activities are also cancelled today, Thursday, January 2nd . Please monitor local media and the New Bedford Public Schools website http://www.newbedford.k12.ma.us/ for updates.
Multiple Municipal Closings on Friday, January 3, 2014
All New Bedford City offices will be closed on Friday, January 3, 2014 including City Hall, the public libraries, senior centers and the Buttonwood Park Zoo.
New Bedford Regional Airport will remain in operation for as long as it remains safe. Passengers should contact their air carriers directly to confirm their flight status because widespread cancellations are expected.

Changes to Residential Trash Collection
While residential trash was collected today, there will be no residential trash collection tomorrow, Friday, January 3, 2014. Therefore, residents whose normal trash collection day is Thursday should put their trash out on Saturday. And, residents who normally receive trash pickup on Friday should place their trash curbside on Sunday. (Due to the holiday, ABC was already operating on a one-day delay; the current change will put in place a two-day delay.)

In addition, commercial cardboard in the North End will not be collected tomorrow, Friday, January 3, 2014. Commercial cardboard will be collected curbside on Saturday, January 4, 2014.

Sand Available to City Residents at Various Locations
The Department of Public Infrastructure has made sand available to city residents at additional locations throughout the city. Residents are advised to bring their own small container to collect the sand at any of the following locations:

· Department of Public Infrastructure – 1105 Shawmut Avenue
· New Bedford City Yard – Corner of Smith St. and Liberty Street
· Brooklawn Park – Irvington Street Side
· Hazelwood Park – Brock Avenue Side
· Riverside Park—Coffin Avenue
· Common Park— Pleasant Street
· Buttonwood Park Senior Center–Oneida Street
· Hurricane Barrier Street Gates – E. Rodney French Boulevard & W. Rodney French Boulevard
· Frederick Street Boat Ramp
· Cove Road and Abbot Street
· Camara Soccer Field- Orchard Street
· Central Police Station—Rockdale Avenue
· Rural Cemetery—Dartmouth Street
· Winslow School—Allen Street
· 181 Hillman Street Parking Lot
· Former Morse Cutting Tools Site—Wing Street
· Hathaway School— Union Street
· Hayden McFadden School Under 195
· Tabor Mills Parking Lot—Coffin Avenue
· Phillips Avenue School—Ashley Boulevard
· Parking Lot at Rt 18 and Cove Rd. at Morton Court
· Pine Grove Cemetery — Acushnet Avenue entrance
· Pine Hill Park– Phillips Rd.
· Fire Station #5- Acushnet Ave

Pilgrim United Church to Open as Emergency for Unsheltered Residents
Pilgrim United Church (634 Purchase Street) will open as of 6:00 P.M. today, Thursday, January 2, 2014 for unsheltered residents. The Church will be equipped with staff, food, and cots.

SRTA Services Suspended As Of 6:00 PM Thursday
The Southeastern Regional Transit Authority will suspend service as of 6:00 P.M. today, Thursday, January 2, 2013. Residents may call 508-999-5211 for information about the status of SRTA services.

New Bedford Hurricane Barrier Navigation Gate Information
The Army Corps will review storm conditions for this evening’s high tide at 8:35 PM and will make a decision whether to close the gates based on the surge. For Friday’s high tide at 9:01 A.M., the Army Corps will monitor the storm surge and make a decision whether to close the navigation gates. Any closure is not expected to exceed two hours.

Conditions are subject to rapid change. Vessel owners and operators should monitor Coast Guard radio frequencies (Channel 16, Switch to 22) for real time information.

Winter Weather Preparedness Tips for Residents and Business Owners
Residents and business owners are advised to review the Winter Weather Tips available on the
City webpage (www.newbedford-ma.gov), and to take proactive steps to prepare for the
storm.

Important Emergency Contact Numbers

• ·To report a downed power line, medical, fire or other emergencies please dial 911.
• NSTAR is prepared to address and damage and outages resulting from the storm and encourages customers whose electric service is affected to call 1-800-592-2000. NSTAR strongly urges people to stay away from all down wires and to report them immediately.
• Verizon customers may contact Verizon at 1-800-VERIZON (1-800-837-4966) or online at www.verizon.com/support to report any service-related issue.
• To report snow removal issues on city streets, residents may contact the Department of Public Infrastructure at (508) 991-6150
• New Bedford Police Department may also be reached on its Non-emergency line at (508) 991-6350
• Please visit the City’s website at www.newbedford-ma.gov for more information and updates from the City of New Bedford regarding the snowstorm.