Weekend Blizzard: Stay Off Mass. Roads, Baker Says
BOSTON (CBS) -- Gov. Charlie Baker asked Bay Staters to stay off the roads on Sunday as another powerful winter storm pounded the region.
"Driving conditions will be very difficult and we continue to urge everyone to stay off the roads for the entire day," Baker said in a morning news conference.
Boston measured 16.2 inches of snow in the storm, making this winter the city's third-snowiest on record. Blizzard conditions were verified in Chatham, Plymouth, Hyannis, Martha's Vineyard and Falmouth, where visibility was one-quarter of a mile or less with 35 mph-plus winds for three hours or more.
"There's a little bit of déjà vu all over again," Baker said.
The snow was expected to stop by midday, but the central and eastern parts of the state are under a blizzard warning through Monday morning because high winds will blow snow and reduce visibility.
With the storm falling on a weekend and students set to start February vacation on Monday, no travel ban was issued.
"The most important thing people need to do today is stay safe and take care of themselves," Baker said. "Someone who gets trapped out there. . . it's just going to be a very bad day to be on the roads."
MBTA service was suspended for the entire day on Sunday, and a decision will be made in the afternoon on Monday' service. Flights are not expected to leave or arrive at Logan Airport before mid-afternoon.
Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack said more than 3,000 pieces of equipment are treating the roads.
"We're going to need time," she said. "Just because it stops snowing in your area does not mean you should clear your car out and get out there right away."
Following the same protocol from January's blizzard, Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station was in "cold shutdown mode" Sunday morning in case of a power outage, Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Matt Beaton said.
"There is no fear of any public safety issues whatsoever," Beaton said.
The National Guard is also assisting during the blizzard, and said it has shifted its focus from snow removal to emergency response due to the intensity of the storm.
