High winds across Hampshire and Franklin counties whipped snow throughout the morning and early afternoon on Monday, though the brunt of the winter blizzard, including a foot or more of accumulating snowfall, was largely felt in the coastal regions of southern New England.
Area communities, including Northampton, declared states of emergencies and snow emergencies in advance of the latest snowstorm, with people advised to stay off the roads, and almost all cities and towns closing their schools and municipal offices. The University of Massachusetts and the other college campuses also were shuttered on Monday.
Even with the at-times hurricane-force gusts, both Eversource and National Grid reported just scattered power outages. Fewer than five National Grid customers were without power on Baggs Hill Road in Granby Monday morning after someone hit a utility wire, while about 10 Eversource customers lost power in Granville due to a fallen tree branch. Another outage affecting fewer than five customers occurred in Amherst in the early afternoon.
Northampton Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra issued a state of emergency to help with the Department of Public Works cleanup efforts.
“Out of an abundance of caution I am declaring a state of emergency with a citywide parking ban that will ensure the DPW can safely clear the streets and our public safety teams can get to people who need help,” Sciarra said. “Please check in on neighbors who may need help, and when it’s safe to do so, clear sidewalks so people can move through the city safely.”
Amherst DPW Superintendent Guilford Mooring said about 5 inches of snow appeared to have fallen as of 11 a.m., not as much as may have been forecast. And while the snow was drifting after being plowed, the crews were able to keep the roads mostly clear.
“It’s going well,” Mooring said, adding that he also had enough drivers for the plowing and sanding workload.
But some vehicles did go off Amherst’s roads, likely due to periods when the snow was blowing so much as to create whiteout conditions.
Easthampton Mayor Salem Derby said that while shoveling outside on Monday, the wind was more prominent than the amount of snow falling, and he saw certain areas where snow was stacking up from the wind blowing it into one area.
Being in contact with police, fire and public works department heads, Derby said things were quiet by early afternoon, though Mountain Road would be closed for a time. Main roads were also being prioritized.
“Once the snow finally ends up stopping, DPW will start moving toward side streets. They’re waiting for the snow to die down to do more runs and it’s a state of emergency so people are supposed to stay off the streets,” Derby said.
It was a similar story in Southampton, with Town Administrator Scott Szczebak saying the fire chief reported things had been pretty quiet as of 12:45 p.m.
Granby Highway Superintendent David Desrosiers, though, said the high winds impaired road-clearing operations by dusting the roads with a new layer of snow soon after plowing.
“The wind was blowing so hard that 15 minutes after you go back, it looks like you haven’t been there all day,” he said.
As the snow and wind slowed down, Desrosiers expected the passes by the machinery to have a lasting impact. For the most part, cars stayed off the roads in Granby and people complied with the town’s parking ban.
“It’s made our job a lot easier with the drifting,” Desrosiers said.
Down Route 202, Belchertown Department of Public Works crews had been out on the roads since 10 p.m. on Sunday night. Besides some minor breakdowns with vehicles, DPW Director Linda Leduc said snow operations had been moving smoothly.
“We will probably need another day to get it under control, but the roads will be ready if they have school tomorrow,” Leduc said.
In Williamsburg, the highway department was busy at work despite being down a truck. Highway Superintendent Dan Bansiter, too, cautioned residents to “stay home,” noting that wind, snow drifts and slippery conditions persisted.
Rheal Labrie of the Worthington Highway Department said shortly after noon that roads were “in the works” of being cleared. He advised that people who need to drive should make room for plow trucks.
“Hasn’t been too much of a problem, nothing abnormal,” said Labrie.
In Holyoke, the wind was the major factor. “The biggest challenge we’re facing is the wind,” said Michael Gallagher, director of public works. In the morning, a few trees were downed, and plows continue to try and fight against snow drifts that are blowing snow back in the roads.
Main roads were the primary focus, but neighborhoods also were being cleared. Gallagher advised people to stay off the roads if possible.
“We will work through this afternoon, evening and again in the morning until all the streets are cleared,” he said. “It’s always a process.”
Mooring also complimented Eversource for its aggressive approach to tree trimming that likely meant few limbs falling and no trees coming down into the travel lanes in Amherst.
Following the storm, the clearing of sidewalks will be important for property owners.
In Northampton, a city ordinance requires property owners to shovel sidewalks, including curb ramps and curb cuts, and to treat ice within 24 hours of a snowstorm, or by 9 a.m. the next business day in commercial districts, to avoid a $50 fine. South Hadley charges property owners a fine of $100 for every day snow is not removed from sidewalks.
Similarly, in Amherst, property owners are responsible for clearing snow and ice from their sidewalks no later than 24 hours after the end of the precipitation. Depending on storm conditions and equipment availability, the Department of Public Works may send a sidewalk plow around on major sidewalks to assist residents as a courtesy, though the obligation to maintain the sidewalk in a passable condition rests with the property owner.
Derby said in the middle of storms people usually stay home and it seemed that was the case Monday. Yet conditions could remain trecherous even after the storm passes.
Easthampton Fire Prevention Capt. Dan Constantine previously told the Gazette that the most accidents occur after a storm, when people start to go back to work and come out of the house.
Both Northampton and Amherst have protocols in place for people, especially those living in the downtowns, to park their vehicles during snow emergencies.
In Northampton, people could park for free in the EJ Gare Parking Garage and the Armory Street and Hampton Avenue parking lots starting at 2 p.m. Sunday, or four hours in advance of the on-street parking ban beginning.
The parking ban in South Hadley will remain in effect until Wenesday at 6 p.m. No on-street parking is allowed on Lamb Street, Bridge Street, Bardwell Street, Main Street and Route 116. On all other roads, people park on the even-numbered side of the street on even days, and the odd-numbered side on odd days.
In Amherst, the parking ban began at 10 p.m. Sunday, with people directed to park in the lower level of the Boltwood parking garage, the town portion of the Pray Street parking lot and the northern row of the North Pleasant Street parking lot.
Still, Mooring said some vehicles did have to be issued tickets and towed to make way for snow-clearing efforts.
Northampton DPW was expected to focus on clearing major arterial roadways and prioritizing public safety response capability.
“Once again, I ask everyone to practice patience, cooperation, and care for our neighbors, so that we can all get through yet another storm together,” Sciarra said. “Please stay safe, only venture out if absolutely necessary, park only in the designated spaces, and help the city clean up the mess we’re told is coming our way with this weather event.”
Sciarra also suggested practicing safe snow shoveling to avoid medical issues, including warming up first with light, dynamic stretching, dressing warmly, and taking indoor breaks to stay warm and hydrated.
With two large storms this winter, Derby said the cost has been high.
“That’s the one area of the budget where you can deficit spend,” Derby said. “It’s a lot of money and when it’s done you can reappropriate money for snow removal.”
