City declares snow emergency for Friday; schools to close

With a massive winter storm predicted to bring 18 to 24 inches of snow to Boston tomorrow, the City of Boston has declared that a parking ban, a closure of Boston Public Schools and other emergency measures will go into effect Friday.

“This is going to be a very serious storm,” said Mayor Thomas Menino in a press statement. “Safety is our number one priority. I want to stress that the best thing everyone can do Friday and Saturday is to stay home.”

All BPS schools will be closed Fri., Feb. 8. All employers are urged by the City to allow employees to work from home if possible. Commuters who have to go into the city are urged not to drive and to use public transportation if possible.

A parking ban on major streets will go into effect at noon on Friday. Among those streets are Tremont Street and Huntington, S. Huntington and Columbus avenues in Mission Hill and Longwood Avenue in the Longwood Medical and Academic Area. For a full list and alternative parking options, see cityofboston.gov/snow/parking.

Friday trash collection will begin earlier than usual, at 6 a.m., as trash collectors work to beat the main snowfall later in the day. Residents with Friday trash pick-up should put their trash at the curb early.

The storm is currently predicted to begin Friday morning and intensify in the afternoon and evening, with possible blizzard conditions and hurricane-force wind gusts.

The City reminds property owners that all sidewalks and handicapped accessibility ramps abutting their property must be cleared of snow promptly. Snow cannot be shoveled into the street. Items used to save shoveled-out parking spaces on the streets must be removed within 48 hours after the snow emergency is lifted. Residents who are older or have health conditions should avoid shoveling snow due to possible heart attacks or other health problems and should contact the City for assistance.

For any questions about storm preparations, contact the Mayor’s 24-Hour Hotline at 617-635-4500 or see cityofboston.gov/snow. To receive City of Boston emergency notices electronically, see cityofboston.gov/alert or follow @NotifyBoston on Twitter.

From press materials.

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