Blizzard of 2013: Lynnfield Information Center

Updates:

3:17 p.m. - National Weather Service: 27.5 inches recorded in Wakefield, 25.5 inches in Peabody.

2:06 p.m. - The Lynnfield Police issued a statement noting that while the state's driving ban will be lifted at 4 p.m., it will still be hazardous to be out on the road - so if you don't need to be out there, don't go.

1:20 p.m. - The state's driving ban will be lifted as of 4 p.m. and has already been lifted in Western Mass.

7:37 a.m. Saturday - Another check-in with Lynnfield Police Chief David Breen finds that so far, only one resident (on Salem Street) has reported a power outage due to the storm - although at this point there's still a fair amount of snow left to fall.

9:14 p.m. Friday -  Scratch that last note. 15 minutes later, National Grid now shows more than 51,000 customers throughout the region without power. Looks like the weekend could get longer and longer for a lot of people out there.

8:44 p.m. Friday - A National Grid map at this link shows that hours before the peak of the storm is expected to hit, more than 34,000 of that utility's customer's throughout the region have already lost power.

Power outages also appear fairly widespread as of Friday night in Nstar's service area - especially on Cape Cod, and to a lesser extent, the South Shore.

6:57 p.m. Friday - Lynnfield Police Chief David Breen told Lynnfield Patch that there were four accidents in town Friday afternoon with no major injuries. Since late afternoon, people have been mostly staying off the roads, he added, meaning that things have been generally quiet so far from a public safety standpoint. That said, "We are awaiting the high winds, which may take down power lines," he added.

4:24 p.m. - Check out this video shot over on Lake Quannapowitt in Wakefield showing a skater out on the ice early in the blizzard with a parachute trailing behind.

3:30 p.m. -  National Grid reports that more than 1,600 outside line and tree crews are ready to respond to blackouts in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, with 500 wires down personnel ready to go. Materials have also reportedly been pre-staged in both states and the utility says it has liaisons in place with all of the towns it serves.

1:27 p.m. - Lynnfield Police add driving ban for town of Lynnfield from 4 p.m. until further notice. Only emergency vehicles are allowed on the roads.

12:47 p.m. - Governor Patrick has issued an executive order banning vehicle traffic effective 4 p.m. today.

9:43 a.m. - Robert Frates reminds us that with so much heavy snow forecast, homeowners with flat roofs will have to be particularly wary of this storm and may need to remove some of the snow before maximum buildup.

9:40 a.m. Friday - The Lynnfield Library reports it will close at noon Friday and reopen at 9 a.m. on Monday.

8:30 a.m. Friday - Lynnfield Town Hall reports it will be closed on Friday.

7 p.m. Thursday: Here is a statement from Kevin Sullivan, interim general manager of Reading Municipal Light Department: 

"RMLD plans to keep staff overnight on Friday with all personnel from the Engineering and Operations Department including line crews, two tree crews, two crews of contractors and customer service specialists who will answer anticipated phone calls. We will also have a town liaison to communicate with the four-town fire and police departments and the DPWs."

"As always, assume downed wires are live electrical wires and do not touch.  Call RMLD at 781-944-1340 when you see wires on the ground."

7 p.m. Thursday: The office of Rep. Brad Jones announces that tomorrow's scheduled constituent service hour at Lynnfield town hall is cancelled due to weather.

6:20 p.m. Thursday: Lynnfield Library reports that its planned Chinese New Year party for the kids will now take place at 10 a.m. The library is open from 9 until noon Friday because of the weather forecast.

6 p.m. Thursday - The Lynnfield School District has cancelled classes for Friday.

6 p.m. Thursday - The Lynnfield Town Democratic Committee Caucus is postponed to February 16th. It was originally set for Saturday at town hall.


The region is set to receive its most serious snowfall in at least two years starting on Friday morning. Lynnfield Police reported Thursday that a snow emergency in town begins at 7 a.m. Cars that are parked on town roads will be towed during the snow emergency.

If you lose power during the storm or have a downed tree or power line, inform the Fire Department at 781-334-5152. Those with other questions during the storm can call the Lynnfield DPW Snow Emergency Hotline at 781-334-9506.

Also refer to the list of numbers below to stay safe and informed during the storm.

Area Patch.com editors will be providing news alerts and updates throughout the storm. If you have an update about the storm to share with the community, including neighborhood outages or other safety hazards, email william.laforme@patch.com.

IMPORTANT NUMBERS & WEBSITES

In an emergency, dial 911 and remember that personnel are likely responding to a large number of calls.

Lynnfield Police Department: 781-334-3131

Lynnfield Fire Department: 781-334-5152

Lynnfield DPW Snow Emergency Hotline: 781-334-9506 and 781-334-9510

Peabody Municipal Light Plant: (Outage Reporting) 978-531-5975

Reading Municipal Light Department: 781-944-1340 or
781-942-6598

National Grid Power Outages: 1-800-465-1212 (those using electric-powered life support systems should call 1-800-322-3223).

National Grid Gas Emergencies: 1-800-233-5325

MBTA: Wakefield Station  

Comcast: 1-800-COMCAST (1-800-266-2278)

Verizon: 1-800-VERIZON (1800-837-4966)

Taxi:
Wakefield Taxi, 781-231-0010

Towing:
Gaetas Towing, 978-535-4762 (Peabody)
TTS Road Services 617-884-8555 (Saugus)

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