Lynnfield Storm Info: Police Remind Residents To Keep Safety, Neighbors In Mind

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Update 10:35 a.m. - Two public safety requests from Lynnfield Police Chief David Breen - Please do not plow or push snow across or into the streets. Also, please remember to check on any elderly or handicapped neighbors who may need a hand during the storm.

Update 10:32 a.m. - Lynnfield Police Chief David Breen reports via email that roads are still largely empty in town, which has helped DPW workers remove snow more effectively. "They have done a great job," said Breen about the snow plow crews.

Update 10:10 a.m. - MarketStreet Lynnfield reports it will officially open at noon Friday. Jeanne Barbaro reports that she will open Barbaro's Bakeshop in the Center Court shops after noontime on Friday. If your Lynnfield business is opening late today, post in the comments section below.

Update 9:40 a.m. Friday - The Lynnfield Library has announced it is closed today.

Update 9:30 a.m. Friday - Here's some info from the Lynnfield DPW on disposing of your Christmas tree. The yard waste recycling center was set to open Thursday. For now, it's scheduled to be open daily (except for Sunday Jan. 5) through Jan. 11 for trees. You can also have the LHS swim team handle it the weekend of the 11th for their annual fundraiser.

Update 9 a.m. Friday - Here's some more updated local snowfall data from the National Weather Service. 10.5 inches reported in Melrose at 7:30 a.m., 15 inches in Lynn at 7:08 a.m. Heading up 95, Topsfield and Boxford both reported over 23 inches.

Update, 7:40 a.m. - Are you taking photos of the big snow day? Share them on Patch!

Update 8:20 p.m. - A check-in with Lynnfield Police Chief David Breen finds no major accidents or public safety hazards caused in town by the storm. He notes that the driving is pretty bad, but also points out that people have generally been staying off the roads.

Update 6:40 p.m. - Whole Foods at MarketStreet Lynnfield is closing at 8 p.m. Thursday evening.

Update 6:20 p.m. - The region is under a blizzard warning until 11 a.m. Friday morning. Click here for more details.

Update 3:30 p.m. - All Massachusetts courthouses will reopen at noon on Friday.

Update, 2:32 p.m. - The Lynnfield Library closed early today due to the storm.

Update, 2:15 p.m. - A trained spotter for the National Weather Service reported on the NWS.gov website 3.6 inches in neighboring Wakefield as of 11:54 a.m.

Update, 1:47 p.m. - The School Committee meeting that was scheduled for tonight has been canceled. 

Update, 1:45 p.m. -  State workers are heading home at 3 p.m., and Governor Patrick is asking private employers to let their employees head home early due to the intensifying storm. Highways and MBTA service are expected to remain open during the storm.

Update, 1:30 p.m. - As of 1:30 p.m., here's a rundown of the some of the snowfall totals provided by spotters for the National Weather Service in surrounding towns: Saugus, 2.5 inches as of 11:30 a.m.; North Andover, 3 inches at 10:32 a.m.; West Peabody, 3.5 inches as of 11:30 a.m. 

Update, 11:55 a.m. - Before any snow from this current storm arrived, Lynnfield DPW reports that the local area had seen 21 inches of snow, most recently a one-inch dusting received on Dec. 26.

Update, 11:30 a.m. - The National Weather Service warns that wind chill could reach minus 15 degrees tonight. Please be sure to prepare, including by making sure all pets are inside. The NWS has a winter storm warning in effect for this region until 10 a.m. Friday.

Update 9:15 a.m. - A town snow emergency is in effect in Lynnfield until further notice.  In a Thursday morning email alert, the town reminds residents that vehicles parked on the street can be towed and ticketed, and that blowing or plowing snow into the street is illegal and dangerous. Drivers are also advised to stay off the roads during the snow emergency if possible.

A New Year's storm is bringing in two days off for the town's students, with up to a foot or more of snow in the forecast through Friday morning. 

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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