Fwd: Situational Awareness Statement: Winter Storm

MASSACHUSETTS EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY SITUATIONAL AWARENESS STATEMENT JANUARY 21, 2014  6:15 AM

WINTER STORM: THIS AFTERNOON INTO WEDNESDAY

The National Weather Service in Taunton has just provided the following forecast update for the winter storm (snow, wind, bitter cold temperatures) that will impact the state from this afternoon into tomorrow.  MEMA anticipates disseminating another update around 10 AM.  Additionally, the National Weather Service in Albany has provided the attached briefing document for its coverage area, including Berkshire County.

From the National Weather Service in Taunton:

HEADLINES

 *   Blizzard Warning for coastal Plymouth county and the Cape and Islands
 *   Winter Storm Warning for all of MA except the Berkshires and Franklin county, all of RI and all of CT
 *   Winter Storm Watch Hillsborough and Cheshire counties in NH.  This is due primarily to uncertainty in snowfall totals.

SNOWFALL POTENTIAL

 *   High risk for 8-12 inches across much of northern CT, eastern MA and all of RI with the higher end totals around Cape Cod and the Islands.
 *   4-8 inches across much of the interior west of the I-495 corridor
 *   Lesser amounts across the Berkshires and potentially southern NH.

TIMING

 *   Light snow should overspread CT/RI & SE MA after 1 PM, spreading to northern MA by evening. Minor to moderate impact for the evening commute with accumulation generally less than 2 inches.
 *   Heaviest snow overnight through sunrise Wednesday. Snowfall rates of 1-2" per hour possible at times. Major impact for the Wednesday morning commute.
 *   Snow ending after daybreak Wednesday from northwest to southeast, except lingering on the Cape/Islands into Wednesday afternoon

WIND

 *   Northerly winds increasing overnight
 *   Max wind gusts: 45 to 55 mph over the Cape/Islands and southeast coastal MA, 35-45 mph northeast CT, much of RI and eastern MA, and 20-30 mph further in the interior
 *   The strongest winds will be after midnight into mid morning Wednesday
 *   The strong wind will result in considerable blowing snow and poor visibility with blizzard conditions expected at times, especially across the Cape and Islands and SE coastal MA.

BITTER COLD

 *   Dangerously cold wind chills late tonight and Wednesday morning dropping to -10 to -20 over the interior high terrain, and -5 to -10 elsewhere.
 *   Another round of dangerously cold wind chills late Wednesday night and Thursday morning. -15 to -25 over the interior high terrain and -5 to -15 in the coastal plain.

For the latest snowfall forecast information, see the headlines and data at the link below:
http://www.erh.noaa.gov/box/StormTotalSnow/index.php



--
Lee Ann Delp, RPL
978-308-9166 Cell
http://www.wnema.org/

http://www.ma911.org/

This email message is a private communication. The information transmitted, including attachments, is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential, privileged, and/or proprietary material. Any review, duplication, retransmission, distribution, or other use of, or taking of any action in reliance upon, this information by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is unauthorized by the sender and is prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please contact the sender immediately by return email and delete the original message from all computer systems. Thank you.

Fwd: Winter Storm Warning

The National Weather Service in Taunton has issued a Winter Storm Warning for Essex County until 7pm this evening, with possible accumulations of up to 4 to 8 inches, low visibly, and hazardous road conditions. A winter storm warning is issued when an average of 6 or more inches of snow is expected in a 12 hour period...or for 8 or more inches in a 24 hour period.



--
Lee Ann Delp, RPL
978-308-9166 Cell
http://www.wnema.org/

http://www.ma911.org/

This email message is a private communication. The information transmitted, including attachments, is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential, privileged, and/or proprietary material. Any review, duplication, retransmission, distribution, or other use of, or taking of any action in reliance upon, this information by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is unauthorized by the sender and is prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please contact the sender immediately by return email and delete the original message from all computer systems. Thank you.

Fwd: MEMA Extreme Cold Tips

MEMA OFFERS SAFETY TIPS FOR EXTREME COLD WEATHER

 

FRAMINGHAM, MA – The National Weather Service (NWS) is issuing Wind Chill Advisories throughout the Commonwealth for the remainder of the week. Temperatures are expected to plummet and wind chills can reach -25 degrees in some areas. In order to ensure residents are prepared for these extreme temperatures, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) has outlined the following safety tips.

 

·       Closely monitor local news reports for updates on weather forecasts and storm impacts.

·       Make sure you have a well-stocked Winter Home Emergency Supply Kit that includes flashlights, portable radio, extra batteries, a first aid kit, bottled water, non-perishable food and a manual can opener.

·       Minimize outside activities, particularly the elderly and very young and remember to consider your pets.

·       Dress in several layers of loose-fitting, lightweight clothing, rather than a single layer of heavy clothing.  Outer garments should be tightly woven and water repellent.  Wear a hat, mittens and sturdy waterproof boots, protecting your extremities.  Cover your mouth with a scarf to protect your lungs.

·       Excessive exposure can lead to frostbite, which is damaging to body tissue that is frozen.  Frostbite causes a loss of feeling and a pale appearance in extremities, such as fingers, toes, ear lobes or the tip of the nose. If symptoms are detected, seek medical help immediately. 

·       Hypothermia can occur in extreme cases.  The warning signs are uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness and apparent exhaustion.  If the person's temperature drops below 95 degrees, seek immediate medical care. 

·       Ensure you have sufficient heating fuel, as well as emergency heating equipment in case you lose electricity.

·       When utilizing alternate heating sources, such as your fireplace, wood stove or space heater, take the necessary safety precautions.  Keep a fire extinguisher handy; ensuring everyone knows how to use it properly. Test smoke alarms and Carbon Monoxide (CO) detectors.

• If utilizing an emergency generator, read, understand and follow the manufacturer's instructions. Always operate emergency generators outdoors and away from any open window.  Make sure your generator is properly installed and grounded as you may be liable for damage or injury to other people and property that may result from improperly installed or operated equipment.
•  Never use propane or charcoal grills indoors as they pose Carbon Monoxide (CO) and fire risks.
• Clear exhaust vents from Direct Vent Gas Furnace Systems to avoid Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning. Also, never run an automobile until the exhaust pipe has been cleared of snow.
•  If you lose your heat, seal off unused rooms by stuffing towels in the cracks under the doors. At night, cover windows with extra blankets or sheets.

·       Be a good neighbor. Check with elderly or relatives and friends who may need additional assistance to ensure their safety.

·       To keep pipes from freezing, wrap them in insulation or layers of newspapers, covering the newspapers with plastic to keep out moisture. Allow a trickle of warm water to run from a faucet that is farthest from your water meter or one that has frozen in the past.  This will keep the water moving so that it cannot freeze.  Learn how to shut off your water if a pipe bursts.

·     If pipes freeze, remove insulation, completely open all faucets and pour hot water over the pipes or wrap them with towels soaked in hot water, starting where they are most exposed to the cold.  A hand-held hair dryer, used with caution, also works well.

• If you use medical equipment in your home that requires electricity, talk to your health care provider about how you can prepare for its use during a power outage. Ensure you have extra batteries for medical equipment and assistive devices.
• If you have life-support devices that depend on electricity, contact your local electric company about your power needs for life-support devices (home dialysis, suction, breathing machines, etc.) in advance of an emergency. Some utility companies will put you on a "priority reconnection service" list. Talk to your equipment suppliers about your power options and also let your local fire department know that you are dependent on life-support devices.
• Make sure your car is properly winterized.  Keep the gas tank at least half-full.  Carry a Winter Emergency Car Kit in the trunk including blankets, extra clothing, flashlight with spare batteries, a can and waterproof matches (to melt snow for drinking water), non-perishable foods, windshields scraper, shovel, sand, towrope and jumper cables.
• Call the Information Telephone Service 2-1-1 for non-emergency storm-related questions.

 

MEMA is the state agency charged with ensuring the state is prepared to withstand, respond to, and recover from all types of emergencies and disasters, including natural hazards, accidents, deliberate attacks, and technological and infrastructure failures. MEMA's staff of professional planners, communications specialists and operations and support personnel is committed to an all hazards approach to emergency management. By building and sustaining effective partnerships with federal, state and local government agencies, and with the private sector - individuals, families, non-profits and businesses - MEMA ensures the Commonwealth's ability to rapidly recover from large and small disasters by assessing and mitigating threats and hazards, enhancing preparedness, ensuring effective response, and strengthening our capacity to rebuild and recover. For additional information about MEMA and Winter Preparedness, go to www.mass.gov/mema.

 

Continue to follow MEMA updates on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MassEMA; Facebook at www.facebook.com/MassachusettsEMA; and YouTube at www.youtube.com/MassachusettsEMA. Download the free ping4alert! app to your Smartphone to receive important weather alerts and messages from MEMA.  Easy instructions are available at www.mass.gov/mema/mobileapp