Monday, February 11, 2013
Saturday after the storm was filled with shovelers, snow blowers and people out and about.
"God put the snow here but it was man who shoveled it away," said Bob Loomis as he and his family dug out their long driveway and freed his vehicles in the bitter cold Saturday, just hours after the the Blizzard of '13 finally left Belmont after staying for 26 hours over two days. Loomis ventured out and joined many neighbors on Slade Street Saturday afternoon as they began the big digging out from the 27-inches of snow deposited on the town. The roar of snow blowers, not heard in these parts for two years, was the only sound heard in many neighborhoods as contractors raced up and down the abandoned roadways as people took advantage of mostly traffic-free streets to enjoy for at least a moment of winter solitude. Many bundled up and …
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CVS Pharmacy
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Monday's expected rain could prove too much for flat roofs supporting two feet of snow.
With rain in Belmont forecast for Monday, the Blizzard of '13 may not be finished wreaking havoc in Massachusetts. While temperatures dropped overnight on Friday resulting in light, fluffy snow, he Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) warns that fluffy snow piled high on roofs can act as a sponge, absorbing rain and adding additional stress to structures. Relatively flat roofs are particularly vulnerable, MEMA says. In other cases, roof ice dams have formed causing water build-up, leading to interior damage. These conditions can accelerate the snowmelt. To minimize the risk of over-stressing a building roof due to accumulated or drifting snow: Information from a release by the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) …
Sunday, February 10, 2013
The clean up continues for the next week.
While the storm has passed, the clean up of the Blizzard of 2013 will continues as more than two feet of snow has fallen on Belmont. The most immediate task for most residents is digging out vehicles, sidewalks and businesses from the wind-driven snow. The town will continue to man the snow emergency HOTLINE at 617-993-2698. For any power outages, residents should call the customer service line at the Belmont Municipal Light Department at 617-993-2800. The Highway Division, which kept the roads passable during and after the storm, reminds residents not to place snow back onto the roadway while digging out by shovel or snowblower as it creates dangerous spots in the road and narrows the street for emergency vehicles. The Belmont Police …
Saturday, February 9, 2013
A series of brief articles involving the blizzard. Send us your photos and storm stories.
John Doherty had come back from skiing Friday afternoon and he and his young son, Declan, had some time on their hands. The Belmont resident looked around him and he saw his bike, a rope, a sled and Declan. That's when the lightbulb went off over his head. Soon Doherty and his son were out the door heading towards the Belmont High School track at Harris Field for some fun before the blizzard would make their newly-created mode of transportation impractical. Send us your photos and storm stories. "It's still light enough that we can travel around town," said Doherty, as he dragged Declan on the sled behind the bike. And what about Declan? "He was all for it," said Doherty, as Declan yelled "Go!"
A series of brief articles involving the blizzard. Send us your photos and storm stories.
Belmont's Price Armstrong had planned to travel on his bike to work Friday, Feb. 8, at the Massachusetts Bicycle Coalition – MassBike – but his boss decided that everyone should better stay home and indoors. So rather than his eight-mile commute, Armstrong decided that a romp in a blizzard would be the next best thing for his daily workout. "It's not so bad out," Armstrong said as he was heading down Concord Avenue into a 30 mph wind. Send us your photos and storm stories. "I'm in shorts. It's rather nice now," he said, noting that by the same time Saturday, there probably would not be a sidewalk to run on.
Highway Department is asking residents not to place snow back onto roadways.
At 11:20 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 9, the sun peaked through the storm clouds. And it was good. After 24 hours of snow and wind and cold, the Great Blizzard of 2013 has ended in Belmont. And now begins the next great task: moving the snow out of walks, steps, driveways and sidewalks. The Highway Division of the Belmont Public Works Department wants to remind shoveler not to throw snow back into the roadway as it reduces the width of the street and causes dangerous icing on the blacktop. In addition, people venturing outside to shovel need to be aware of possible health risks associated with strenuous activities. Stefan Russakow, Belmont's Director of Health, advises residents to follow information provided by the Massachusetts Emergency …
How much came down in your neighborhood?
Two feet and a bit more. Twenty-seven inches of snow fell onto Belmont as measured by a HAM Radio operator who is a member of the National Weather Service's "Spotter" group. The Belmont total is the most in Middlesex county – followed by Melrose at 26.5 inches and Sherborn at 25.8 inches – and a mere inch from totals in Worcester and Northboro that recorded the most snow fall in the state. The measurement – which the NWS's Public Information Office said it's "appreciation is extended" – was made before 8:35 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 9, by spotters which can include town Highway Departments, cooperative observers, Skywarn Spotters and the media. Does the 27-inches seem correct? How much did you measure around your house? Send you measurements to …
Police, town-owned electric utility report relatively quiet night.
Just because there are no private vehicles on Belmont streets due to the blizzard coming through town yesterday and town, it doesn't mean residents should think they own the roads, said Belmont Police Lt. Richard Santangelo. "We have reports of a lot of people walking round along the roads. What they don't understand is that the town plows are traveling fairly fast on the streets and they aren't expecting pedestrians," said Santangelo, updating what has been a busy night for Belmont Police. In fact, "since nothing is opening today, residents should stay indoors," said Santangleo. Over at the Belmont Municipal Light Department, it's been fairly quiet, according to spokesperson Jennifer Santoro. As of 4 a.m., (Saturday Feb. 9), Belmont …
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Belmont Police Department
460 Concord Ave, Belmont, MA
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Belmont Municipal Light Department
40 Prince St, Belmont, MA
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Visibility is reduced to a quarter-mile, residents are advised to stay indoors.
There's more coming. The blizzard that has effectively shut down Belmont will continue into this afternoon with the town experiencing white-out conditions with the strongest winds and snow fall during Saturday morning, according to the latest National Weather Service bulletin issued at 4:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 9. An official blizzard warning continues until 1 p.m. with heavy, wind-swept snow (gusts as high as 75 mph were recorded in nearby Bedford) that will reduce visibility to less than a quarter-mile. The winds will case snow drifts of several feet in locations. High temperatures will only reach the mid-20s. Due to the conditions, the NWS is strongly advising all residents to stay indoors as travel will be dangerous as those venturing …
Friday, February 8, 2013
Let's measure the blizzard through lawn ornaments!
We at Patch like to have fun – even when we’re covering a story as big as the Blizzard of ’13! So when the biggest storm in years (potentially in the history of Boston weather) is headed our way, we get into battle mode – and even get a little silly. That’s what this idea is about – and we want you to take part too! A fun way we want to track the storm across Massachusetts is through lawn ornaments. They serve a purpose in the spring and summer, but often feel left out in the cold of winter. Not anymore. We are posting photos of lawn ornaments throughout Massachusetts to highlight snowfall across the commonwealth during and after the storm. All you need to do is hit the Upload Photos and Videos button and upload your own. If we’re stuck at…
Brian Rogers
12:37 pm on Monday, February 11, 2013
Great gallery, Franklin! Thanks for sharing such a wonderful chronicle of the storm's impact on Belmont. more ›