Mayor Wu Declares Snow Emergency, Parking Ban In Effect Friday At 9 PM

updated at 3pm with South Boston Waterfront Transportation Center free parking information provided by State Representative David Biele. See below under participating garages. 

Mayor Michelle Wu today declared a snow emergency ahead of the forecasted winter storm that is expected to begin early Saturday morning and continue into Sunday. Total snow accumulations are expected to range between 18 to 24 inches, with winds as high as 40-50 mph are expected. Residents are advised that a parking ban will take effect starting at 9:00 p.m. tonight. Once the snow emergency goes into effect, vehicles parked on major roads and main arteries will be towed. The City is urging residents to abide by snow regulations and encouraging all drivers to use caution if traveling. Residents are also encouraged to sign up for emergency notifications through AlertBoston and to call 311 for non-emergency related issues. For any emergency, residents should call 911.

• A snow emergency has been declared, starting Friday, January 28, at 9 p.m. A parking ban will also take effect at that time and all vehicles parked on a posted snow emergency artery will be towed to allow for snow clearing operations to take place. Boston residents with a resident sticker can find a list of free and discounted garages online, and parking at participating garages will begin at 7 p.m. on Friday. Discounted parking starts two hours before the declaration of a snow emergency, and ends two hours after lifting the emergency.

• Snow Emergency Artery / Parking Restricted: Fort Point & Seaport

• A Street
  Boston Wharf Rd
  Congress Street
  D Street
  Northern Avenue
  Seaport Blvd
  Summer Street

  Residents can find a complete list of city streets and discounted garages here and begin parking at participating garages starting at 7:00 p.m. today. 

  Participating South Boston Garages
  

  BOSTON CONVENTION & CIVIC CENTER
  SOUTH PARKING LOT
  415 SUMMER STREET
  617-954-2000
  NO FEE
  For Fort Point, Seaport & South Boston residents only. 

  CHANNEL CENTER GARAGE
  116 WEST FIRST STREET
  617-269-1830
  $10 FOR EACH DAY
  Please bring a valid driver’s license with a City of Boston address to the garage office. Oversized vehicles not allowed. 

  MARINE PARK GARAGE
  12 DRYDOCK AVENUE
  617-482-2487
  $1 FOR EACH NIGHT
  The discount is only for South Boston residents. You need to have a South Boston resident sticker on your vehicle. Snow emergency parking on the fourth floor only.
  
  SOUTH BOSTON WATERFRONT TRANSPORTATION CENTER
  503 CONGRESS ST OR WORLD TRADE CENTER AVE.
  (857) 350-4569
  Free parking for South Boston residents starting at 6pm tonight through Monday at 9am.
  Please bring license or documentation with your name and street address. 

  MUNICIPAL LOT #018
  450 WEST BROADWAY: NO CHARGE

  MUNICIPAL LOT #021
  650-652 EAST BROADWAY: NO CHARGE

• You have 48 hours to use a space saver after the end of an emergency. After that, you must remove it from the street. Please note that space savers are banned in the South End.  

• Nighttime street sweeping on main roads, arteries, and commercial roads is canceled until further notice. Updates will be provided on Boston.gov when night time street sweeping is scheduled to resume.
• As indicated in signage posted in BPS school parking lots, parking is not allowed in these lots during snowstorms. Vehicles may be towed if they are parked in BPS parking lots during the snow emergency. Towing could start on Saturday and could continue through the weekend until lots are cleared.
• Trash and recycling pick-up will continue on a regular schedule on Friday (January 28) and resume on Monday (January 31). Residents are encouraged to download the Trash Day App for more information on their trash and recycling pick-up schedule. 

All BCYF community centers and the Boston Public Library will be closed on Saturday.

The Public Works Department (PWD) will have equipment to treat Boston's roads prior to the snowfall starting, and the City has the ability to put over 850 pieces of equipment on city streets. The PWD currently has 38,000 tons of salt on hand.

The Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is in constant contact with the National Weather Service to receive detailed forecast updates for the City of Boston and to ensure City departments have plans in place to handle the weather. Residents can sign up to receive AlertBoston notifications by phone, text, or email. Residents can call 311 for non-emergency issues.

Rules on clearing snow:

• Property owners must fully 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 the snow ends overnight. Curb and pedestrian ramps to the street should be cleared fully and continually over the duration of the storm to ensure accessibility for individuals with disabilities. If the storm lasts for an extended period of time, property owners are asked to continually check and clear ramps abutting their property.
• Removal of snow and ice from a private property to the street or sidewalk is prohibited.
• Failure to comply with these rules can result in fines issued by PWD's Code Enforcement Division. Fines associated with improper removal of snow can be found online.

Caring for vulnerable populations:

• If you see individuals experiencing homelessness or vulnerable individuals out in the cold who appear immobile, disoriented or underdressed for the weather, please call 911.
• During extreme cold weather, street outreach teams operate with extended hours and provide mobile outreach vans on the streets in the evening and throughout the day. 

Safety tips:

• Keep catch basins and fire hydrants clear. For a map of catch basins and fire hydrants, visit here. You can assist in keeping hydrants clear of snow so the Boston Fire Department can access them quickly in case of emergency.

• Shoveling snow requires significant exertion; please be cautious and pay attention to signs of overexertion. Stop if you feel chest pain, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, nausea, or vomiting. Call 911 if those symptoms do not resolve quickly.

• Snow piles can make navigating intersections dangerous for pedestrians and drivers. Please take extra care when turning corners with snow piles that might limit visibility.
• Carbon monoxide poisoning is a concern during winter weather, especially with the use of generators. Residents should use their home heating systems wisely and safely, and have a working carbon monoxide detector on each floor of the 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 (e.g. gas exhaust for heating systems or dryers) and vehicle exhaust pipes of snow.

For more information visit Winter Storm Tips and Cold Safety Tips. 

Stay safe and warm.