Mayor announces snow emergency, school closures for winter storm

• Boston Public Schools will be closed on Friday, January 5.
• All Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF) community centers will be open on Friday, including stand-alone centers and school-based sites.
• A snow emergency and parking ban remains in effect throughout the duration of the storm.
• City Hall and all libraries will be open tomorrow, and all employees should report to work.
• Crews from Boston Water and Sewer, the Boston Fire Department and Inspectional Services are monitoring flooding in neighborhoods.
• Sidewalks should be shoveled by 3 hours after dawn tomorrow, at about 10:15 a.m.

Discounted parking is available for Boston residents in garages and lots throughout city, and residents will have two hours to move their cars once the parking ban is lifted. Locations and pricing are available at Boston.gov/snow. Residents are encouraged to stay off the roads, and take public transportation if needed. Emergency personnel who need transport, such as doctors and nurses, are encouraged to call 3-1-1 to be connected.

Boston Public Works has 40,000 tons of rock salt ready to be distributed, and today has over 750 pieces of equipment on the roads. The city's main focus continues to be on clearing sidewalks, main streets, roadways and responding to public requests for plowing and salting. Boston Police and EMS has an increased presence and will be ready to assist people in every neighborhood.

Residents are encouraged to sign up for emergency notifications through AlertBoston and utilize the 311 call center for non-emergency related issues. 311 is operational 24 hours a day, and will have extra staff tomorrow to respond to calls. To find out more information about resources and services available to residents, please visit boston.gov/snow.

• Shoveling snow requires significant exertion; please be cautious and pay attention to symptoms. Stop if you feel chest pain, shortness of breath, light headed, nauseous/vomiting. Call 911 if those symptoms do not resolve quickly when you stop exertion.
• 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.
• Pedestrians should use caution as visibility will be diminished due to blowing and drifting of the snow caused by high winds.
• 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 clear snow away from all vents around their homes to avoid health risks.
• Remember to keep catch basins and fire hydrants clear.
• Please check on neighbors, especially the elderly and disabled.
• 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.
• To help keep pipes from freezing, keep the faucet dripping a little bit, and don't turn your heaters off.

• Property owners must clear snow, sleet and ice from sidewalks and curb ramps abutting the property within three hours after the snowfall ends or three hours after sunrise if it snows overnight. Failure to comply will result in a fine issued by Boston Public Works Code Enforcement.
• Please clear at least a 42-inch-wide path for people using wheelchairs and strollers.
• Removal of snow, ice from a private property to the street or sidewalk is prohibited and will result in a fine issued by Boston Public Works Code Enforcement.
• Do not throw snow onto the street.
• Please look here for information about fines associated with improper removal of snow.

• 48-hour space saver rule is in effect: residents have 48 hours to use an object to save a parking spot after a snow emergency has ended.
• After 48 hours, space savers must be removed.
• Due to a community decision, space savers are not allowed in the South End. Space savers are allowed in every other neighborhood.

Boston Centers for Youth & Families Community Centers will be open during normal business hours. Please check their schedules here.

• If you see homeless individuals out  in the cold who appear immobile, disoriented or underdressed for the cold, please call 911.
• The Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) coordinates a city-wide network of emergency shelters, outreach providers, city agencies and first responders to assist those in need of shelter.
• Emergency shelters are open 24 hours and will accept any person in need. Men can access shelters through 112 Southampton Street, and women should go to the Woods-Mullen Shelter at 794 Massachusetts Ave. BPHC and the city are working closely with shelter providers to ensure that no client is without shelter, food, resources, and a warm respite from the cold.
• During extreme cold weather, street outreach teams will continue to provide support to homeless individuals in need.

Residents are encouraged to sign-up for AlertBoston to receive emergency alerts and to call 311, download the BOS:311 app , or Tweet at @BOS311 with questions or concerns. Follow @CityofBoston and boston.gov/snow for the latest updates.