School Canceled for Friday; Residents Urged to Prepare for Possible High Winds, Whiteout Conditions and Power Outages

Based on current weather projections, including a National Weather Service Blizzard Watch issued for the metro Boston area, Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone has declared a snow emergency for the City of Somerville, effective at 10 p.m. on Thursday, February 7.   In accordance with the city’s Snow Emergency Policies, a Snow Emergency may be declared at least four hours prior to the predicted start of a forecast for four inches or more of snow.

Superintendent of Schools Tony Pierantozzi announced that the Somerville Public Schools will be closed on Friday, February 8, and all activities will be canceled through Saturday, February 9.  Additionally, the City of Somerville will operate with emergency personnel only on Friday. Residents with non-emergency questions should call 311.  For emergencies, please remember to call 911.

“Because of the timing and likely severity of this storm, Somerville is declaring an emergency early enough to allow residents to move their vehicles and make other necessary plans before work hours on Friday,” Curtatone said.

During snow emergencies, parking is allowed on the odd-numbered side of the street only (unless otherwise posted).  Under city regulations, an effective 10 p.m. snow emergency declaration on Thursday means that cars not moved by 2 a.m. on Friday may be subject to ticketing and towing. As of 10 p.m. Thursday, residents unable to find a parking space on the odd-numbered side of the street may park in any municipal lot for the duration of the emergency.  A list of available city lots and other relevant information may be found on the City’s website at www.somervillema.gov/snow.

Residents who have not already done so may visit the city’s website, www.somervillema.gov/snow, to view snow emergency procedures, download the snow procedures brochure or sign up for Connect CTY telephone and email alerts and other time sensitive messages from the city.  For real-time updates, please visit the city’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/somervillecity, and Twitter feeds:  @SomervilleCity and @311Somerville.