Community Corner

Walpole's Guide to Blizzard of 2013

Stay up to date with the latest on this weekend's winter storm.

WALPOLE PATCH STORM CENTRAL UPDATES, CLOSINGS & MORE:

Sunday- Feb. 10

7:06 p.m.- Walpole Public Schools Will Be Closed Monday http://patch.com/A-1NTW

Find out what's happening in Walpolewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

***

3:48 p.m.- Walpole Sunday Snow Cleanup Update from TA Boynton http://patch.com/A-1NL1

Find out what's happening in Walpolewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Saturday- Feb. 9

5:48 p.m.- Sunday's Farmer's Market in Walpole has been cancelled.

***

5:41 p.m.- Additional Storm Update from TA Michael Boynton:

1) DPW crews have completed phase 1 of storm clean up. Roads are open & passable, and the deicing chemicals are doing their work. Two loaders and a sander are still working to address intersections and other safety needs. They can respond to Police & Fire needs as well

2) DPW crews will be back in at 8 a.m. tomorrow to resume clean up at schools and to work on sidewalks.

3) Snow removal Downtown and in East Walpole will take place overnight Monday into Tuesday. There is simply too much snow to do it safely during the day. I have made arrangements with MCI Cedar Junction to dispose of snow there as we have done previously.

Michael

***

2:11 p.m.- Gov. Patrick's travel ban will be lifted statewide at 4 p.m. http://patch.com/A-1MVf

***

12:58 p.m.- Walpole power outages now down to 1, according to NSTAR outage map.

***

9:41 a.m.- A message from Walpole TA Boynton: Sat., Feb. 9 about the blizzard: http://patch.com/A-1MHF

***

8:48 a.m.- Walpole Water Treatment Plant is still running on back up power. NSTAR will be working on the problem this morning.

***

7:31 a.m.- The Governor's driving ban is still in effect in Massachusetts until further notice. http://www.mass.gov/alert/alertlanding.html

***

7:24 a.m.- Here are some important phone numbers and websites:

List of cab companies:

  • VIP Taxi of Norwood: 781-363-937
  • New England Coach: 781-821-9292

List of tow companies: 

  • Assured Collision: 508-660-2757
  • Chris' Service Center: 508-668-2869
  • USA Towing and Service: 508-850-5282

***

7:10 a.m.- Walpole still has 4 power outages in town according to the NSTAR outage map. http://patch.com/A-1M02

***

7:05 a.m.- The View From My House...What's Yours Look Like? http://patch.com/A-1M8t

***

7:00 a.m.- After an hours-long search of Noon Hill Reservation that spanned Friday night into Saturday morning, a Medfield man is still missing.

Friedman is described as a white male, approximately 6 feet tall, 180 pounds with black hair. He was last seen wearing a Kelly green parka, grey sweatpants, Timberland boots and it is not known if he had a hat or gloves on.

Friday- Feb. 8

12:17 p.m.- Man Missing: Last Seen at Noon Hill Reservation http://patch.com/A-1M6L

***

11:38 p.m.- Walpole now has 4 outages in town dropping from as many as 25.

***

9:44 p.m.- As of 9:44 p.m. Friday night NSTAR is reporting 25 houses without power.

According to Walpole Town Administrator Michael Boynton the homes without power are in South Walpole due to down wires in the area.

In addition the Walpole water treatment plant is also without power. Boynton said the plant is currently running on backup power.

NSTAR has been notified and will be working to restore power to the area.

***

7:29 p.m.- Wind Whipping in Walpole [VIDEO] http://patch.com/A-1MpP

***

7:07 p.m.- Walpole has 4.5 inches of snow so far.

***

6:40 p.m.- Tree at 1117 Main Street is now off the road.

***

6:31 p.m.- Tree on 1A in Walpole is on the guard rail. Not sure if it is in the road. Officers will try to push the tree off the rail out of the way.

***

6:25 p.m.- Report of a tree down near 1100 Main Street in Walpole. DPW notified.

***

6:15 p.m.- 24-hour Dunkin Donuts on High Plain Street will be staying open through the night.

***

6:05 p.m.- Walpole Police Chief Stillman said there are very few cars on the road right now and low visibility. "Very quiet out there," he said.

***

5:03 p.m.- Gulf gas station at Route 1 and Route 27 in Walpole will remain open through the night unless they lose power.

***

4:55 p.m.- Walpole Walmart is now closed. Stop and Shop will be open till 11 p.m.

***

4:20 p.m.- Just added some photos of the storm in Walpole above.

***

4:15 p.m.- Walpole has one home without power according to NSTAR's outage map. http://outage.nstar.com/outage/outagemap.aspx

***

4:09 p.m.- Tree branch on wires at 470 High Street in Walpole.

***

3:46 p.m.- Snow and slush starting to build up on roads in Walpole. Conditions are deteriorating. Be safe out there!

***

3:39 p.m.- Large tree limb down on wires at 171 Bullard Street. Fire Dept. responding. Lights flickering inside the house.

***

3:35 p.m.- Car accident on East Street in front of Walpole Woodworkers. Car vs. town plow truck.

***

2:44 p.m.- The boys Walpole/Norwood hockey game is being rescheduled to Sunday at 7:30 p.m. at Iorio Arena. Confirmed by WHS principal Imbusch.

The girls Walpole/Norwood hockey game Saturday has been cancelled. Reschedule date and time has not yet been confirmed.

***

2:26 p.m.- The last Franklin Line commuter rail train from South Station will be leaving at 2:40 p.m. Inbound service to Boston will be suspended at 3:30 p.m.

***

1:00 p.m.- Walpole Emergency Operations Center Up and Running [PHOTOS] http://patch.com/A-1LtM

***

12:45 p.m.- Gov. Deval Patrick has issued an executive order banning vehicles from driving on the roads beginning at 4 p.m. http://patch.com/A-1Jbq

***

12:16 p.m.- Walpole supermarkets are packed right now. Both Big Y and Stop and Shop are well stocked with milk and bread.

***

11:42 a.m.- Walpole's Emergency Operations Center at Town Hall will be open at noon today. The phone number is 508-660-6355.

***

11:30 a.m.- Cumberland Farms on Main Street in Walpole is currently out of gas. http://patch.com/A-1Lf5

***

11 a.m.- A message from the Boston Archiocese: The Catholic faithful are reminded to exercise prudence this weekend as they seek to fulfill their Sunday Mass obligation. Weather forecasts predict a significant amount of snowfall on Friday and Saturday, and Archdiocesan officials have already been in contact with parish staffs about the steps that can be taken to prevent building damage and accidents during the storm.

The Office of Divine Worship urges all Catholics to heed the travel advisories of their cities and towns, and to stay off the roads during the peak hours of the storm and plow operation. The faithful are encouraged to use good judgment when planning to travel to Mass. Hopefully the storm will have passed on Saturday, and roadways will be clear for travel on Sunday. In the event that roadways are not clear for travel on Sunday, the faithful are reminded that the obligation to attend Sunday Mass does not apply when there is grave difficulty in fulfilling this obligation. (See Code of Canon Law, Canon 1248 §2) 

Logan Airport is reporting that more than 100 flights have been cancelled this morning. Please check with your airline before going to the airport.

***

9:40 a.m.- State Rep. Dan Winslow Offers Blizzard Safety Tips http://patch.com/A-1KPq

***

9:08 a.m.- Light snow starting to fall.

***

7:00 a.m.- Walpole is now in Emergency Condition Status. The town's Emergency Operations Center will be open at noon today.

***

5:20 a.m.- We will be updating this article throughout the storm giving updates on road conditions, power outages, road closings and anything else storm related in Walpole.

Please let your neighbors know of anything vital by leaving a comment below.

If you lose power we will be updating our Facebook page and Twitter feed as well. Be sure to check back as we will provide updates from NSTAR.

If anyone needs to contact me call 508-736-9016 or email benjamin.paulin@patch.com.

Stay safe and warm Walpole!

Thursday- Feb. 7

6:32 p.m.- Norfolk County Agricultural School will be closed Friday. All after school activities and sports cancelled.

***

6:16 p.m.- Overnight parking ban will be strictly enforced in Walpole. Any cars impeding snow removal operations will be towed.

***

4:13 p.m.- Walpole TA Boynton's Message on Winter Storm Nemo http://patch.com/A-1JJd

***

4:12 p.m.- Walpole's Emergency Operations Center will be open at noon Friday.

The Walpole Fire Department will be staffing all three fire stations at noon Friday. Walpole Police will have increased staff as well.

An emergency shelter will be set up at the Walpole Senior Center in the Town Hall tomorrow. The Walpole Library community room will serve as an overflow shelter if needed.

***

3:53 p.m.- Walpole DPW Working Hard to Prep for Storm http://patch.com/A-1JFY

***

3:27 p.m.- Walpole Public Library will be closed Friday and Saturday. All programs will be cancelled for those days.

***

2:21 p.m.- Superintendent Lincoln Lynch has cancelled school Friday Feb. 8 and all activities on Saturday Feb. 9 will be cancelled as well.
http://patch.com/A-1JBk

***

11:30 a.m.- NSTAR sent out this press release about preparing for the storm:

With a major nor’easter expected to impact our area beginning tomorrow, NSTAR will activate its emergency response plan as preparations continue for a significant impact on the electric grid.  The company is advising customers to make advanced preparations as well.  While no utility can prevent widespread power outages in the face of devastating storms, NSTAR is on high alert and workers are prepared to mobilize.

“We’re well into our preparations for responding to potentially widespread power outages resulting from the nor’easter’s high winds and heavy snow,” said Craig Hallstrom, President of NSTAR Electric.  “We prepare year-round for storms like this and stand ready to address damage to our system as soon as it becomes safe to do so.”

As all 3,000 NSTAR employees prepare to assist in the storm response effort, the company has also secured additional contractor line and tree crews to join forces with its own workers.  In anticipation of high snowfall amounts and whiteout driving conditions, NSTAR will pre-position workers across its service area in advance of the storm, including on Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard where travel may become impossible due to the potential for bridge closures and ferry service interruption.  With safety a top priority, crews will respond to calls as weather conditions allow.

Customers can prepare for storm damage and power outages by assembling a storm kit in advance and making arrangements to protect themselves and their families.  Some suggestions for items to include in a storm kit are:

  • Flashlights with spare batteries
  • A battery-operated radio or TV
  • First-aid kit and medications
  • Canned, freeze-dried or dehydrated foods
  • A manual can opener
  • Bottled water
  • Baby or pet supplies
  • Important phone numbers

Customers dependent on electricity for critical medical needs are urged to make preparations now to switch to a backup source or move to an alternate location if necessary.  NSTAR also reminds all customers that, while back-up emergency generators can be very useful during power outages, it’s crucial to personal safety and the safety of others, including NSTAR line crews, that they be installed and operated properly.

For more information about storm preparation and generator safety, please visit NSTAR’s Storm Center at www.nstar.com.

***

10:00 a.m.- All Walpole Recreation Department activities have been cancelled on Friday, Feb. 8 and Sat. Feb. 9.

All scheduled games for Walpole High School Friday have been rescheduled to Thursday. Times are the same.

***

Scroll down for important phone numbers, websites and more. Stay with Walpole Patch as we keep you updated throughout the storm.

For instant updates on weather and storm news (and more!), follow Walpole Patch on Facebook and Twitter, or sign-up for our e-mail newsletter.

IMPORTANT NUMBERS & WEBSITES: 

List of cab companies:

  • VIP Taxi of Norwood: 781-363-937
  • New England Coach: 781-821-9292

List of tow companies: 

  • Assured Collision: 508-660-2757
  • Chris' Service Center: 508-668-2869
  • USA Towing and Service: 508-850-5282

Useful info:

Storm Guide

Friday's blizzard looks as if it will have an impact on our community.

The National Weather Service is predicting 1-2 feet of snow with 2-3 inches of accumulation per hour during the storm.

To be safe residents should follow these practices:

During and After the Blizzard

Use common sense

  • Stay inside unless absolutely necessary per Governor Deval Patrick
  • Do not use generators indoors
  • Do not go near or touch ANYTHING near or around downed wires
  • Conserve battery usage
  • Only open refrigerators & freezers when absolutely necessary to help preserve food longer
  • Check in on your neighbors, especially the elderly and disabled

If the Power Goes out

Dealing with downed wires:

  • Assume all downed wires are energized
  • Call 911 if you see or know of downed wires
  • Stay away from downed wires
  • Do not touch trees, fences or any objects near downed wires as they may be energized

Reporting an outage:

  • DO NOT CALL 911 for a power outage
  • CALL National Grid outage reporting: 1-800-465-1212
  • Contact verizon and comcast at 1-800-VERIZON (1-800-837-4966) or 1-800-COMCAST (1-800-266-2278)

If you are on Oxygen and lose power to your oxygen concentrator:

  • Use a back up oxygen tank
  • Call the Fire Department before you run out of oxygen.

WAPOLE PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here