Nashua Snow Emergency Declared

NASHUA, NH — Nashua officials declared a snow emergency ahead of a near-blizzard that's expected to drop at least a foot of snow on the city Tuesday into Wednesday. The snow emergency is in effect Tuesday at 2 p.m. through Wednesday at 6 a.m.

The following information is from the City of Nashua:

"During the snow emergency: No on-street or municipal surface lot parking is allowed. FREE parking will be available in the Elm Street and High Street garages. The overnight parking program is suspended.

During the hours of the snow emergency, the City of Nashua will be towing vehicles remaining on the street and in the municipal surface lots. Owners of towed vehicles may retrieve their cars at the Solid Waste Department (Landfill) and must pay a fine of $315 (cash, money order or credit card only). After the snow emergency has been lifted, cars may be picked up during normal business hours.

Depending on the duration of the storm and snowfall amounts, crews may need extensive time once the storm ends to clean all street and regularly plowed sidewalk routes. Please call the Public Works snow line at 589-4795 for up to date information.

SOLID WASTE

Trash and Recycling collection will be on normal schedule for Tuesday, March 14th. The Four Hills Landfill / Nashua Recycling Center will be open on Tuesday 3/14. Please visit www.nashuanh.gov or call 603-589-3410 for more information about the solid waste schedule.

TRANSIT

Nashua Transit System is planning to run service all day during Tuesday’s snowstorm on March 14th. If conditions become unsafe to travel NTS will suspend service. Please go to the website for storm updates at www.ridebigblue.com.

LIBRARY

The Nashua Public Library will be closed on Tuesday, 3/13.

CITY HALL

Board of Aldermen President McCarthy has CANCELLED the 3/14 full Board of Aldermen meeting. The next regularly scheduled meeting is Tuesday, March 28, beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the Chambers.

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

Emergency Management officials are urging citizens to prepare for the storm now. The City of Nashua will keep all informed via www.nashuanh.gov and the Nashua Emergency Info Line at 603-589-3456. Justin Kates, Director of Emergency Management for the City of Nashua, has tips on what citizens can do to be prepared for this storm.

Recommendations:

• Only use 911 for emergencies! If you are calling about the storm but do NOT have an emergency, contact the Nashua Emergency Info Line at 603-589-3456.
• Stay off the road - plow crews and emergency vehicles will be working to clear the roads and respond to emergencies.If driving is necessary, stay safe - Leave extra time to get to destinations, allow safe driving distances between vehicles, anticipate reduced speeds, and keep vehicle fuel tanks at least half full.
• Stay informed- Information will be regularly posted on the city’s website at www.nashuanh.gov/emergency and on the City social media accounts: on Twitter @nashuaoem and www.facebook.com/nashuaoem.Sig... up for the Nashua CodeRED notification system for immediate updates on the storm on your landline phone, cell phone, and/or email. You can sign up at www.nashuanh.gov/coderedHave an emergency kit - that includes flashlights and spare batteries, a battery powered radio and extra supplies of food and water. Be sure to keep a kit in your vehicle as well.
• Check on your neighbors and family - make a plan prior to the storm to check-in on elderly or disabled neighbors or familyReport ALL power outages - in the event power is lost or a power line falls contact Eversource at 1-800-662-7764. Each household must report their own power outage!
• Clear the streets - Remove basketball hoops, trash cans, and any other snow removal obstructions from city streets.Clear your nearby fire hydrant - during a fire, every second counts. Clear your nearby fire hydrant of snow to ensure the Fire Department can access it during an emergency
• Clear your emergency access gates - If you have an emergency access gate that provides access to your facility or neighborhood, please be sure that snow is not piled in front of it. This ensures emergency vehicles can still access your neighborhood.Clear storm drains - While plowing or shoveling snow, please be sure remove snow over storm drains. This will help prevent significant street flooding as the snow melts.
• Remove snow from roofs - Snow loads due to the heavy wet snow expected can cause significant loading of roofs leading to potential roof collapse.
• Clear snow from emergency exits - Do you still have 2 ways out of your home or business if there were a fire? Don’t pile snow in front of your doors.
• Ensure that your Carbon Monoxide (CO) detectors - Make sure they are working correctly and have fresh batteries
• Check your outside fuel exhaust vents - Make sure they are not obstructed by snow or ice. Never operate a portable generator indoors - The only recommended method to connect a generator to house wiring is by having a qualified electrician install a power transfer switch."

Photo: Patch/File