Mayor Walsh Announces Additional Resources from New York, Connecticut and the National Guard to Expedite Snow Removal, Prepare for Upcoming Storm

Thursday, February 12, 2015 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced that the City of Boston has secured additional resources from Connecticut, New York City and the National Guard to assist Boston’s Public Works Department (PWD) in ongoing snow removal operations.

The City has secured two additional 135 ton per hour snow melters from New York City. The melters arrived on Thursday, and will begin operations at midnight, continuing throughMonday, February 16. The City is currently surveying locations in Roxbury and East Boston. The City is only responsible for paying for the melters’ fuel, front loaders and room and board expenses.

A 350 ton per hour melter is continuing to operate at the Tide Street snow farm, and an 80 ton per hour melter is operating at the Franklin Park location.

Through the assistance of MEMA and two companies in Connecticut?, the City has secured the following equipment to assist with snow removal:

16 tri-axle dump trucks
5 skid steers (BobCat)
8 front end loaders
3 backhoes

In addition, the National Guard has deployed 10 guardsmen and supplied five bobcats from Joint Base Cape Cod.

PWD is currently using utilizing ten snow farms across the City and is working to secure additional snow farm locations to increase the City’s capacity to store snow once it is removed from the streets and neighborhoods.

Last night, PWD removed 1,200 truck loads of snow from Boston neighborhoods, totaling almost 25,000 cubic yards. Since the first storm three weeks ago, PWD crews have removed nearly 13,000 truck loads of snow.

Falling temperatures and bitterly cold wind chill are expected for the next couple of days. Winds will be gusting at 35 to 45 mph Sunday into Sunday night - 12 to 16 inches of snow is expected.

In preparation for the upcoming storm, PWD has additional salt arriving and will begin pre-treating roads on Friday.

Mayor Walsh issued the following safety tips:

Please help your neighbors and do your part to assist during this snow event by clearing sidewalks and shoveling out hydrants.
Have a contractor check the roof to see if snow needs to be removed. If roof snow can be removed from the ground with the use of a snow rake, do so with caution. Avoid working from ladders and be mindful of slippery surfaces.
Shoveling snow requires significant exertion, please be cautious and pay attention to symptoms. Stop if you feel chest pain, shortness of breath, lightheaded, nauseous/vomiting. Call 911 if those symptoms do not resolve quickly when you stop exertion.
Carbon Monoxide poisoning is a concern during winter weather, especially with the use of generators.Residents should be sure to use their home heating systems wisely and safety, and have a working carbon monoxide detector on each floor of your home. Call 911 immediately if you suspect Carbon Monoxide poisoning.
Sitting in a car while idling can be deadly if the tailpipe is blocked. Do not let children sit in an idling car while shoveling. Clear any household exhaust pipes of snow. For example, gas exhaust from heating system or dryer.
Remember to keep catch basins and fire hydrants clear.
Snow piles can make navigating intersections dangerous for walkers and drivers, please take extra care when turning corners with snow piles that might limit visibility.
If you see a person in need of shelter, of it there is an emergency, please call 911.
Please check on neighbors, especially the elderly and disabled.
If you are walking in the street, remove your headphones, so you can hear traffic.

For those with questions or concerns, help is available through several channels. The Mayor’s Hot Line (617-635-4500) will be running with extra staff around the clock for the next two days and the City’s social media and mobile technology strategy will be in full effect throughout the storm. Residents can tweet @notifyboston with a question or concern, and use the Citizens Connect app to report issues.