Boston Public Works crews worked through the night clearing streets after a blizzard dumped 17 inches of snow on the city, according to officials. The storm, which began Sunday afternoon, prompted Mayor Michelle Wu to declare a snow emergency and issue a parking ban, measures that remained in effect until at least 6 p.m. Tuesday.
The National Weather Service issued a Blizzard Warning for parts of Massachusetts and southern Novel England, the first such warning in four years. Boston, along with the North and South Shores, Norfolk County, Plymouth County, Bristol County, Cape Cod, and Martha’s Vineyard were all included in the warning area.
Mayor Wu urged residents to stay home throughout the storm, citing snowfall rates of up to two inches per hour and the potential for whiteout conditions. “Please make plans to stay inside, stay warm, do not be on the roads,” Wu said during a news conference Monday evening. “We need everyone to just be inside, stay warm, stay safe and let the plows do their work. The fewer vehicles on the streets, the faster our crews can clear roads and respond to emergencies.”
The city deployed 900 plows, salt spreaders, and other pieces of equipment to clear roads, and crews were actively melting snow at designated “snow farms” to create additional storage capacity. Despite the extensive preparations, the storm presented a challenge for the Wu administration, which faced criticism following last month’s nor’easter for its snow removal efforts.
Even as some parts of the state experienced higher snowfall totals, Boston received approximately 10 to 14 inches of snow in addition to the 40 inches already on the ground from previous storms this season. Approximately 25 downed trees were reported, and power outages were limited, with most having been resolved by Tuesday evening, according to the mayor.
Curbside trash and recycling collection was canceled citywide on Monday, with all neighborhoods experiencing a one-day delay. Boston Public Schools and central offices were closed on both Monday and Tuesday, and all extracurricular activities and sports programs were canceled.
Mayor Wu stated Monday that the city saw snowfall rates “upwards of two inches an hour for several hours and met the official criteria for a blizzard, as deemed by the National Weather Service.” She added that the snow emergency remained in effect, emphasizing the need for residents to remain off the roads to facilitate the work of public works teams and first responders.
