Community Corner
Exeter Storm Center: Wind Chill As Low as -21
Exeter-area public schools canceled Friday classes.
Friday, Jan. 3
- 11:10 a.m. A crash was reported on I-95 south in Hampton near Exit 2.
- 8:40 a.m. The Exeter Public Works Department released this statement: "Rubbish & recycling pick-up HAS NOT been cancelled due to the storm. The Thursday pick-up route will be picked up today and the Friday route will be picked up tomorrow! Transfer Station will be open during normal hours tomorrow 9-2:30."
- 8:30 a.m. The Exeter Public Works Department released this statement: "Plow crews have been working around the clock sanding and clearing roads. If you must travel today or over the weekend, please drive with care! Leave plenty of time to arrive at your destination & leave plenty of distance for the car you're following. As always, a coffee can of salt & a bucket of sand is FREE to residents at the DPW complex in the small salt shed (left as you pull in). Use caution when using salt. In frigid temperatures it will freeze causing worse conditions."
- 8:20 a.m. The town released this statement: "The Town Offices are open for business today Friday, January 3rd from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.. Trash pickup updates will follow shortly."
- 7:50 a.m. Here's the latest National Weather Service forecast for Exeter for today: "Snow with areas of blowing snow before noon, then areas of blowing snow and a chance of snow between noon and 2pm, then areas of blowing snow after 2pm. High near 10. Wind chill values as low as -21. Blustery, with a northwest wind 15 to 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible."
- 7 a.m. Gov. Maggie Hassan visited Exeter plow crews to thank them for working around the clock.
- 10:25 p.m. The latest National Weather Service forecast for Exeter calls for 10-14 inches of snow and wind chill temperatures as low as 24 below zero as the winter storm warning remains in effect until 10 a.m. Friday.
- 6:44 p.m. The Stratham Planet Fitness released this statement: "The Stratham, NH club will remain open throughout storm Hercules for regular use. Additionally, we are also opening up our facilities (showers, locker rooms, etc.) to members and non-members alike, if they have experienced a loss of power."
- 3:50 p.m. A crash was reported in Epping at the intersection of Routes 125 and 101. No injuries were reported.
- 1:50 p.m. The New Hampshire Department of Transportation just issued a statement reminding motorists to slow down and limit travel for the duration of the current storm. Because of the extremely cold temperatures, anti-icing chemicals have limited effectiveness and road conditions may be worse than they appear, according to NHDOT Director of Operations Bill Janelle. Advisory speed limits have been reduced to 45 mph on all interstates and turnpikes. For additional winter driving tips, click here.
- 1:14 p.m. Check out this incredible photo by Hampton-North Hampton Patch reader Heidi Buzzell Hirtle of a North Hampton fire engine that slid off the road while responding to an accident on Thursday morning. Fortunately, no one was hurt.
- 11:55 a.m. Gov. Maggie Hassan urged everyone to "exercise common sense" during the storm.
- 11:50 a.m. A crash involving a state police cruiser was reported on I-95 in Greenland. According to WMUR-TV there were no major injuries.
- 10:30 a.m. Manchester-Boston Regional Airport is now starting to report some flight delays and cancellations. Logan Airport in Boston is already saying it will cease operations at 8 p.m. and resume tomorrow afternoon.
- 9:56 a.m. Gov. Maggie Hassan just sent out the following tweet: "Heavy snow will continue throughout the day & night, encouraging Granite Staters to exercise caution on the roads and drive safely."
- 9:54 a.m. A single car crashed on its side on Route 101 east near Exit 6 in Epping. No injuries were reported.
- 9:30 a.m. According to emergency radio broadcasts, a fire engine responding to the crash on I-95 north in North Hampton is partially on its side, and the driver is still in the truck. A tow truck is responding to the scene.
- 9:17 a.m. A crash is now being reported on Interstate 95 north, just north of Exit 2, in North Hampton. Expect delays.
- 9 a.m. A box truck reportedly overturned on Route 101 east in Hampton in the area of Interstate 95 around 8:30 a.m. Thursday. No injuries were reported. An earlier accident was reported on I-95 in Hampton Falls.
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Get your shovels ready, Exeter. You're going to need them.
The first storm of 2014 is underway as the initial flakes began falling after midnight Thursday.
The National Weather Service said there will be "near-blizzard" conditions.
During the day on Thursday there will be some accumulation, though much of the snow will come Thursday night into Friday before the storm ends Friday afternoon.
Below is some essential information on the storm. We will be updating this storm center article throughout the storm, so be sure to check back.
Current Forecasts
How much snow is Exeter expected to get Thursday and Friday? Here are the projections as of Thursday morning.
- National Weather Service: 8-12 inches
- WMUR-TV: 8-12 inches
Exeter-area public schools canceled classes Thursday and Friday. Students won't return from winter break until Monday.
Exeter Emergency Contacts, Resources
- In case of an emergency, dial 911
- Police Department: 603-772-1212
- Fire Department: 603-772-1212
- Public Works Department: 603-773-6157 (603-772-1212 in emergencies)
- Comcast: 1-800-266-2278
- Al's Automotive Towing: 603-778-8158
- The Unitil power company's live outage map
- Unitil's Twitter account (where it posts outage updates)
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