By Tiffany Williams –
BOSTON — Governor Maura Healey is keeping the pressure on as blizzard recovery grinds forward across Massachusetts, with Southeastern communities still digging out and the state of emergency remaining in effect for every county except Berkshire, Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin.
The state has called in reinforcements.
At Healey’s direction, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency requested out-of-state mutual aid to tackle snow-choked municipal roads. Crews and heavy equipment from Vermont rolled in Tuesday. New York followed overnight.
The Vermont Agency of Transportation dispatched roughly 30 vehicles — front-end loaders and dump trucks — along with more than 30 employees now working in Southeastern Massachusetts, with additional towns slated for help this week. From New York, the State Thruway Authority, Department of Transportation and Power Authority have deployed more than 50 pieces of equipment, including loaders, dump trucks and snow-clearing machinery.
MassDOT has put more than 3,000 pieces of state and vendor equipment into the field.
Joseph Foti, MassDOT Highway Chief of Operations & Maintenance, has been tapped to lead snow removal operations in Southeastern Massachusetts, coordinating with MEMA and local officials as municipalities struggle to clear neighborhood streets.
“Lieutenant Governor Driscoll and I saw firsthand how folks across Southeastern Mass are still feeling the impacts of this storm and there is a lot more work to be done,” said Governor Healey. “I appreciated the opportunity to thank many of the officials who are working around the clock to remove snow and support our communities, while also hearing directly from local officials and residents about what additional resources are needed. I’m also grateful for the support of Governor Hochul and Governor Scott who have sent crews and equipment to help. We are all in this together, and we will get through it.”
POWER OUTAGES STILL TOP 150,000
Even with more than 2,000 line, tree and service crew workers bolstered by out-of-state support, approximately 152,000 customers remained without power as of 1 p.m. Wednesday — a number that continues to decline but underscores the scale of the damage.
The Department of Public Utilities remains in close contact with electric distribution companies as restoration crews move town by town. Snow clearance is the gating issue. Trees and blocked streets must be cleared before repairs can begin. Utilities warn the customer count may fluctuate as lines are de-energized for safe repairs.
Emergency and safety assessments come first. Then access. Then restoration.
National Guard service members, including Military Police, Engineer and Transportation units, remain deployed for snow and debris removal and route clearance.
TRAVEL BANS, TRANSIT RESET AND AIRPORT DELAYS
Local travel restrictions and parking bans remain in cities including New Bedford, Fall River and Brockton. Roads are still icy, slushy and snow-covered. State officials are urging caution, especially at intersections, ramps and breakdown lanes, where snow removal equipment remains active.
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority resumed regular weekday service systemwide Wednesday, except for the Fall River/New Bedford Line, which is operating on a modified weekday schedule. Riders are being told to plan extra time and watch for slippery platforms.
At Boston Logan and Worcester Regional airports, flights have resumed but delays remain possible. Passengers are advised to check with airlines before heading out.
The Registry of Motor Vehicles has reopened customer service centers statewide. Road tests for passenger vehicles may be impacted by unsafe local conditions, and cancellation fees for missed road test appointments will be waived Wednesday. Commercial vehicle skills testing remains on schedule.
CLEANUP PUSHES INTO SCHOOLS AND PARKS
The Department of Conservation and Recreation is focusing on clearing safe routes to schools along DCR roadways as students return. Major parkways have been cleared, but work continues across Southeastern properties, secondary roadways and pedestrian pathways.
DCR Fire Control sent a Saw Crew Strike Team to Brewster to assist with shelter setup and is deploying tree and bucket crews to Orleans.
The Department of Environmental Protection is advising municipalities and businesses on snow disposal as towering piles create environmental and logistical challenges. Guidance includes site selection, maintenance and emergency disposal options designed to protect wetlands and drinking water. Local conservation commissions can issue Emergency Certifications under the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act if upland disposal capacity is exhausted.
BOTTOM LINE
Massachusetts is throwing everything it has — and then some — at this storm’s aftermath. Thousands of machines. National Guard boots on the ground. Out-of-state heavy iron from Vermont and New York. Yet the numbers tell the story: more than 150,000 still in the dark, local bans in place, and a state of emergency covering most of the Commonwealth.
The cleanup is accelerating. But the grind isn’t over.