[W1SMH] Fwd: Situational Awareness Statement: Major Winter Storm

Thu Feb 9 10:30:19 EST 2017

Ray Cord

On Thursday, February 9, 2017, Hamel, Jaclyn (CDA) (CDA) <Jaclyn.Hamel at MassMail.State.MA.US> wrote:

MASSACHUSETTS EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
SITUATIONAL AWARENESS STATEMENT

DATE: 2/09/2017
TIME: 7:30 AM
SUBJECT: Major Winter Storm

SITUATION
A major winter storm will impact the Commonwealth today. Peak snowfall rates will be late morning to late afternoon. The strongest winds will occur this afternoon and evening. The storm will taper off late this evening into early overnight.
The National Weather Service has updated the forecast to include the following changes:
* Increased snowfall totals: widespread 12 - 15 inches with pockets of 15 - 20 inches.
* Heaviest snowfall rates (2-4 inches per hour) will occur mainly 10 am - 4 pm from west to east.
* Increased potential wind gusts (55-65 mph) for late this afternoon and evening, particularly along Plymouth County, Cape Cod and the Islands.
* Higher risk for power outages due to the higher winds and overall wetness of the snow across the Southeastern MA, Cape Cod and the Islands.
* Snowfall will begin tapering off at 4 pm in Western MA and 11 pm in Eastern MA

Winds:
Northeasterly winds (25-35 mph) developing around midday and continuing through the evening hours. Wind gusts as high as 55-65 mph may occur on the southeast coast, Cape Cod and the Islands.
Coastal Flooding:
Splashover along the coastline, road inundation and beach erosion is possible (mainly around the morning high tide 8am to 1pm).

Impacts:
* Dangerous travel with snow covered roads (both commutes will be impacted).
* Blowing and drifting snow will reduce visibility to ¼ mile or less (white-out conditions at times).
* Possible downed limbs/branches and isolated power outages (especially on Cape Cod and the Islands).
* Below 0° wind chills tonight into Friday morning.
WATCHES/WARNINGS:

Coastal Flood Advisory
Issued: February 09 at 4:37AM EST
Expiring: February 09 at 1:00PM EST <https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=MA12583E25E844.CoastalFloodAdvisory.12583E273960MA.BOXCFWBOX.24cf8251a9ed74924d3f75f74f6d3b6c>

Urgency: Expected
Status: Actual

Areas affected: Barnstable; Dukes; Eastern Essex; Eastern Norfolk; Eastern Plymouth; Nantucket; Suffolk

Winter Storm Warning
Issued: February 09 at 2:40AM EST
Expiring: February 09 at 6:00PM EST <https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=MA12583E259B50.WinterStormWarning.12583E27FCB0MA.ALYWSWALY.25d634fc449a3ebbd789ae15e35ba25d>

Urgency: Expected
Status: Actual

Areas affected: Northern Berkshire; Southern Berkshire

Blizzard Warning
Issued: February 09 at 4:28AM EST
Expiring: February 09 at 8:00PM EST <https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=MA12583E25E4C0.BlizzardWarning.12583E33E390MA.BOXWSWBOX.5e3c1bf18d99b4826ccba2883b60da38>

Urgency: Expected
Status: Actual

Areas affected: Barnstable; Dukes; Eastern Plymouth; Nantucket

Winter Storm Warning
Issued: February 09 at 4:28AM EST
Expiring: February 09 at 8:00PM EST <https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=MA12583E25E4C0.WinterStormWarning.12583E33E390MA.BOXWSWBOX.c88481b019991bf17989e98e75c02cb8>

Urgency: Expected
Status: Actual

Areas affected: Eastern Franklin; Eastern Hampden; Eastern Hampshire; Northern Worcester; Northwest Middlesex County; Southern Worcester; Western Franklin; Western Hampden; Western Hampshire

Winter Storm Warning
Issued: February 09 at 4:28AM EST
Expiring: February 09 at 8:00PM EST <https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=MA12583E25E4C0.WinterStormWarning.12583E33E390MA.BOXWSWBOX.a8c8186dc898942e42143bdf770c0a14>

Urgency: Expected
Status: Actual

Areas affected: Central Middlesex County; Eastern Essex; Eastern Norfolk; Northern Bristol; Southeast Middlesex; Southern Bristol; Southern Plymouth; Suffolk; Western Essex; Western Norfolk; Western Plymouth

CURRENT RADAR:

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NWS GRAPHICS:

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[cid:image008.jpg at 01D282A3.FE4DD700]

[cid:image009.jpg at 01D282A3.FE4DD700]

[cid:image010.jpg at 01D282A3.FE4DD700]

MEMA Operations

The State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) at MEMA Headquarters in Framingham is activated at Level 2 (Partial Activation) as of 6:00 AM to provide situational awareness and a common operating picture to stakeholders and coordinate requested assistance to cities and towns. In addition to MEMA staff, representatives from the following agencies are present in the SEOC:

· ESF 1 (Transportation): MassDOT
All Districts are in snow and ice operations with 1,967 pieces of equipment operating statewide. There are no major incidents at this time.
The speed limit has been reduced to 40 mph on the Mass Pike from the NY border to I/C 5-Chicopee.
Logan Airport is currently open; numerous flights have been cancelled.

· ESF 3 (Public Works): DCR
MassParks are in snow and ice operations with 171 pieces of equipment.

· ESF 4 (Fire Fighting): DFS

· ESF 8 (Public Health and Medical): DPH
DPH OEMS has issued a Weather Related Waiver for Staffing in EMS Regions I, II, III, IV and V. The waiver will be in effect from 8 am Thursday, February 9, 2017 to 8 am Friday, February 10, 2017.

· ESF 12 (Energy): DPU

· ESF 13 (Law Enforcement): MSP

· ESF 16 (Military Support): MANG

The SEOC will continue to monitor conditions during the storm and issue additional Situational Awareness Statements as needed.

Preparedness and Safety Information
· Safety and preparedness tips for extreme cold are available at: http://www.mass.gov/eopss/agencies/mema/emergencies/cold/
· Winter storm preparedness and safety information is available at: http://www.mass.gov/eopss/agencies/mema/emergencies/winter-storms/
· Power outage preparedness and safety information is available at: http://www.mass.gov/eopss/agencies/mema/emergencies/power-outage/

Stay Informed
Utilize Massachusetts Alerts to receive emergency notifications and information from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency and the National Weather Service. Massachusetts Alerts is a free app that is available for Android and iPhones. To learn more about Massachusetts Alerts, and for information on how to download the free app onto your smartphone, visit: www.mass.gov/mema/mobileapp<http://www.mass.gov/mema/mobileapp>.
Utilize MEMA's real-time power outage viewer to stay informed about current power outages in your community and region, and across the state, including information from utility companies about restoration times: http://mema.mapsonline.net/public.html
Utilize MEMA's live weather radar and forecasting tools, including the live snowfall forecast map: http://memamaps.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=0da6e4d888b74317b52b7a5064aa3dc2

Online Resources
For additional information and resources, visit:
Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency at www.mass.gov/mema<http://www.mass.gov/mema>
MEMA's Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/MassachusettsEMA
MEMA Twitter: @MassEMA<http://twitter.com/massema>
Federal Emergency Management Agency at www.fema.gov<http://www.fema.gov>
National Weather Service/Taunton at www.weather.gov/boston<http://www.weather.gov/boston>
National Weather Service/Albany, NY at www.weather.gov/albany<http://www.weather.gov/albany>
National Weather Service Weather Prediction Center: http://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov
National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center: http://www.spc.noaa.gov/
Mass211 at www.mass211.org<http://www.mass211.org>

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