[W1SMH] Fwd: SITUATIONAL AWARENESS STATEMENT #8_5PM

[RayCord]

Ray Cord

On Thursday, January 4, 2018, Schwartz, Kurt (CDA) (CDA) (CDA) (CDA) (CDA) (CDA) (CDA) (CDA) <Kurt.Schwartz at MassMail.State.MA.US> wrote:

MASSACHUSETTS EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
SITUATIONAL AWARENESS STATEMENT #8

DATE: January 4, 2018
TIME: 5 PM
SUBJECT: Significant Winter Storm Update
SITUATION
The National Weather Service (NWS) is forecasting that heavy snowfall will continue for another few hours statewide and then begin to taper off between 5 PM and 6PM this evening for all of southern New England (except along the immediate Southeast MA coast, and Cape/Islands). Blowing and drifting snow will remain a concern into Friday.
Flash freezing remains a risk this afternoon into this evening for Cape/Islands as well as parts of far southeast coastal Plymouth County as rain changes to snow with rapidly falling temperatures. A flash freeze may occur resulting in very hazardous travel.
Strong wind gusts of 50 to 70 mph will continue along the east coast into this evening. A High Wind Warning remains in effect until 1 PM for the Cape/Islands. Windy conditions, with gusts of 30 to 40 mph, will occur for all of southern New England, especially along the coastline, into Friday.
The coastal flooding that has occurred will likely take hours to days to drain in some areas; the main concern is standing water that will freeze due to the expected drop in temperature this evening and into the weekend.
Following the storm, very cold Arctic air will be drawn across the region Friday through Sunday. Extreme cold conditions expected with temperatures in the single digits or lower; wind chills well below zero.
The NWS latest briefing packet is attached.
NWS Graphics
Excessive Cold Headlines Map
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Forecast Minimum Wind Chill Values Map
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Winter Weather Hazards Maps
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Precipitation Ending Time of Winter Weather Threats
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Maximum Wind Gusts for Tonight Map
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SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS

Power Outages

* As of 4:32 PM, a total of 20,592 customers are without power in the Commonwealth.

* Power Outages by Provider:

o National Grid: 5557

o Eversource (Eastern, MA): 14989

o Eversource (Western, MA): 1

o UNITIL: 45



Current Power Outage Map

[cid:image012.jpg at 01D3857D.F9F4C2D0]



Power restoration in some areas may be delayed because strong gusting winds will persist into Saturday, and because of the extreme cold that is forecast for Friday into Saturday.



Significant Coastal Flooding Impacts

At least 32 coastal communities reported to MEMA via WebEOC or telephone that they experienced significant flooding in connection with today's mid-day high tide. Flooding impacts included people trapped in cars in flood waters; significant flooding of streets and low lying areas; flooding of homes and businesses; damage from flood waters to buildings, sea walls, piers and other structures. The 12 High Water Vehicles that were deployed in advance of the storm by the National Guard assisted multiple communities with evacuations from vehicles and buildings and accessing flooded areas.



MEMA will initiate an Initial Damage Assessment process in the coming days to estimate costs of emergency response and damage to public infrastructure. The Initial Damage Assessment process will enable MEMA to assess the likelihood of qualifying for federal disaster assistance under the Public Assistance program.



Travel Impacts

* Per Mass State Police, I-90 NY Line to Boston: 40 MPH speed limit; no tandems; no special permitted vehicles.

* Multiple roadways closed due to tidal flooding.

* MBTA Commuter Rail running on reduced schedule.

* MBTA ferry services suspended.

* MBTA has sandbagged the harborside emergency exit at the Boston Aquarium to protect against potential flooding which could otherwise impact MBTA, Highway infrastructure.

* No significant impacts reported for air travel; some departures canceled.

* Road closures in Cape Cod may impact transport to Cape Cod Hospital. EMS agencies have been advised.
COMMUNITY STATUS (as of 4:30 PM)

* There are 32 activated local EOCs.

* 4 local declared State of Emergency.
Shelter Status

* Total open local/regional shelters: 6

* Total open warming centers: 22
SKYWARN: Snowfall Reports (2:00 PM-3:25 PM):
Wales, MA: 7.0"
Mattapoisett, MA: 3.8"
Maynard, MA: 8.0"
Wayland, MA: 8.0"
Ashland, MA: 7.0"
Uxbridge, MA: 8.0"
Sturbridge, MA: 8.0"
Westminster, MA: 8.0"
Boylston, MA: 8.0"
Northborough, MA: 8.0"
Ware, MA: 8.5"
Ludlow, MA: 9.0"
Southwick, MA: 11.0"
Ware, MA: 10.5"
Chicopee, MA: 11.0"
Hampden, MA: 8.0"
East Longmeadow, MA: 9.5"
Everett, MA: 12.5"
Northampton, MA: 8.3"
Westford, MA: 9.0"
Burlington, MA: 10.0"
Mansfield, MA: 13.0"
Dracut, MA: 10.3"
Millville, MA: 10.0"
Salem, MA: 14.0"
Norwell, MA: 13.0"
Sterling, MA: 14.5"
Chelsea, MA: 16.0"
Sturbridge, MA: 12.5"
Hanson, MA: 11.5"
Allston, MA: 9.0"
Braintree, MA: 9.0"
Ayer, MA: 7.8"
Dedham, MA: 10.0"
Rockville, RI: 9.0"
Westford, MA: 9.5"
Acton, MA: 10.3"
Stow, MA: 9.0"
Pepperell, MA: 10.5"
Wilmington, MA: 9.0"
Acton, MA: 10.5"
Maynard, MA: 10.0"
Harvard, MA: 7.5"

SKYWARN: Wind Gust Reports:
1207 PM: Aquinnah, MA: 61 MPH Gust
117 PM: Nantucket, MA: 76 MPH Gust
120 PM: Agawam, MA: 53 MPH Gust
125 PM: Aquinnah, MA: 66 MPH Gust
150 PM: Aquinnah, MA: 67 MPH Gust
200 PM: Edgartown, MA: 64 MPH Gust
202 PM: Vineyard Haven, MA: 61 MPH Gust
217 PM: Mashpee, MA: 59 MPH Gust
218 PM: Edgartown, MA: 65 MPH Gust

SEOC OPERATIONS
The State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) is currently at Level 2 (Partial Activation). The MEMA Region 1 office (Tewksbury, MA), and MEMA Region 2 office (Bridgewater) are activated. In addition to MEMA staff, representatives of the following agencies/organizations are present in the SEOC:

* ESF-1 (Transportation): MassDOT

* ESF-3 (Public Works): DCR, OPSI

* ESF-4 (Firefighting): DFS

* ESF-5 (Business and Industry): NEDRIX

* ESF-6 (Mass Care): ARC

* ESF-8 (Health and Medical): MDPH

* ESF-9 (Search and Rescue): MEP, USCG

* ESF-10 (Environmental Protection): DEP, CZM

* ESF-12 (Energy): DPU, National Grid, Eversource, Unitil

* ESF-13 (Public Safety): MSP

* ESF-16 (Military Support): MANG
Resource Requests
The SEOC is currently responding to requests for high water vehicles from 8 communities, and law enforcement to assist with public safety from 1 community.

Response Issues
U.S. Coast Guard reports:

* USCG Station Point Allerton is currently suspended from Search and Rescue (SAR) response due to exceeding wind limitations. CGSTA Gloucester and CG Sector Southeast New England will cover SAR response.

* CG STA PA partial SAR capable, limited to coastal response in Hull Bay. Offshore response continues to be covered by CG STA Gloucester and SECTOR SENE.
The SEOC will continue to monitor the forecast and will disseminate Situational Awareness Statements as necessary.

Cities and towns in need of resource support should contact their MEMA Regional office or the SEOC at 508-820-2000.

Preparedness and Safety Information

* Safety and preparedness tips for extreme cold:
http://www.mass.gov/index.php/service-details/extreme-cold-safety-tips
* Winter storm preparedness and safety information:
http://www.mass.gov/index.php/service-details/winter-storm-safety-tips
* Power outage preparedness and safety information:
http://www.mass.gov/index.php/service-details/power-outage-safety-tips
* Flood safety tips:
http://www.mass.gov/index.php/service-details/flood-safety-tips
* Winter safety tips for pets:
https://www.mass.gov/service-details/winter-pet-safety-tips

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: http://www.mass.gov/service-details/massachusetts-alerts-smartphone-app.

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: http://www.mass.gov/map-resources
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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