Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey declared a state of emergency Sunday as a blizzard warning expanded across the state, threatening up to two feet of snow in some areas. The declaration came with the deployment of 200 members of the Massachusetts National Guard, according to a statement from the Governor’s office.
The National Weather Service issued a blizzard warning for the entire North and South Shores, Boston, Norfolk County, Plymouth County, Bristol County, Cape Cod, and Martha’s Vineyard – the first such warning in Massachusetts in four years. Forecasts now predict Boston could receive 20 inches of snow, with a potential high-end accumulation of 29 inches, according to the National Weather Service’s Norton office.
“This is a serious storm,” Healey said during a news conference at the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) headquarters in Framingham. “At the outset what I wish to say to the public is this is one to take seriously.” She added that power outages and downed trees are expected.
MEMA Director Dawn Brantley echoed the Governor’s warning, stating that the agency is preparing for “significant power outages, hazardous travel, and coastal impacts.” MEMA’s regional command centers will be activated at 7 a.m. Monday to monitor and coordinate the state’s response. A local coordinator has been deployed to Barnstable County to provide on-site support on Cape Cod, where winds could exceed 70 mph.
Southeastern Massachusetts is expected to be hit hardest, with snowfall predictions consistently exceeding 24 inches. The National Weather Service warns that visibilities may drop below a quarter of a mile due to falling and blowing snow, and the weight of the snow combined with strong winds could down power lines. Whiteout conditions are expected to make travel treacherous and potentially life-threatening.
The remainder of the state is under a winter storm warning, anticipating between 10 and 20 inches of snow. The snow is expected to be heavy and wet, further increasing the risk of tree damage and power outages. School districts across Massachusetts have begun announcing closures and delays for Monday, though a comprehensive list was still being compiled as of Sunday evening.
The state of emergency declaration allows the state to quickly respond and deploy resources during the storm, according to Healey’s office.