Power may be restored by midnight, Russo reports

Hull Fire Chief Christopher Russo, who heads up the town's Emergency Management team, issued said an hour ago that National Grid crews were working to restore electricity to Hull, which lost power around 10:30 a.m.

Here is the National Grid update, which Russo posted on the Town of Hull Emergency Management page on Facebook: 

Our crews are currently working on the repairs that we are hopeful will allow Hull Municipal Light to re-energize the town by midnight. We are making every effort to finish the work as soon and safe as possible.

At the same time, given the difficult weather and conditions and the complex repairs required, we do believe it would be prudent for you to consider a back-up plan if the outage extends past midnight.

We appreciate the close communications and collaboration with Town of Hull officials and look forward to seeing the lights back on in your town soon. 

We take seriously our responsibility as the provider of electricity to the Hull Municipal Light Plant.

No school – or after-school events – Tuesday

Superintendent Michael Devine issued the following post on the Hull Emergency Management page on Facebook:

Good afternoon. Due to the intense storm forecast to affect the entire region, Hull Public Schools will be closed tomorrow, Tuesday March 13th. This also means that there will be no Kidscare or after-school activities tomorrow.

I sincerely hope that this is the last one of these calls that I have to make to you this year. I am also hopeful that our students will take advantage of the snow day tomorrow to read and study. Also – if you are old enough and have the opportunity – tomorrow would be a great day to show a random act of kindness by shoveling out a neighbor who may be unable to do so themselves. Just an idea.

Have a good night and a safe day tomorrow.

Town Hall, other offices closed Tuesday

Town Manager Philip Lemnios has ordered the following facilities closed tomorrow, March 13, due to the anticipated blizzard:
• Hull Public Library
• Scully Senior Center
• Light Department
• Sewer Department Offices
• Town Hall
All are expected to reopen at their usual times on Wednesday.

Wednesday storm has some flooding potential

Hull Fire Deputy Chief Bill Frazier posted the following storm update at 1 p.m.

Hi Everyone, The track of the incoming storm is constantly changing. As of now we are looking at 3+ inches of snow starting Wednesday morning going through Thursday afternoon. There will also be periods of rain accompanying this storm. Winds should be sustained, 30-40 mph, with higher gusts, the strongest of which will occur Wednesday night into Thursday morning.
The snow will be a heavy, wet snow and with these higher wind speeds there is potential for power outages.
The tide of highest concern will be the high tide early Thursday morning (approx 3:45 a.m.). The tides are not astronomically high but will be accompanied by a storm surge of more than 2 feet. This creates the potential for some minor to moderate coastal flooding.
Measures are being taken to make sure that our dune system remains intact. Please DO NOT climb over these reinforced areas. Even small depressions in the peaks of these reinforcements can have an enormous impact on their effectiveness.
I will update again later on tonight with any changes in the forecast.
Thank You,
DC Frazier

State Emergency Management Agency sets sights on Wednesday storm

MASSACHUSETTS EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY SITUATIONAL AWARENESS STATEMENT

DATE: March 5, 2018
TIME: 9:30 AM
SUBJECT: Upcoming Coastal Storm Wednesday/Thursday

The National Weather Service is forecasting another coastal storm to bring snow and gusty winds to New England starting Wednesday morning and continuing into Thursday.

RAIN/SNOW

• Snow is forecast to begin mainly after the Wednesday morning commute and continue through Wednesday night before tapering off during the morning commute on Thursday. The greatest impact appears to be the late day Wednesday commute and possibly lingering into the Thursday morning commute.

•  Snow may fall at a rate of as much as 1-2 inches per hour at the peak of the storm late Wednesday into Wednesday night.

• A potential change to rain is possible for portions of eastern Massachusetts, but the location of the rain/snow line remains highly uncertain. The changeover from snow to rain would most likely take place late Wednesday afternoon or evening. In the vicinity of the rain/snow line, snow is likely to be wet and heavy.

· Snowfall totals could reach 8-12 inches over much of Massachusetts, with 6-8 inches falling in parts of far western Massachusetts and the Connecticut River valley, 4-6 inches in the vicinity of the rain/snow line, and up to 2-3 inches in southeastern Massachusetts.

Winds:

· 30-40 MPH wind gusts, with up to 50 MPH gusts over the Cape and Islands, are forecast, with the strongest winds occurring Wednesday night into Thursday morning.

COASTAL FLOODING

•  A storm surge of around 2.5 to 3 feet and 15-20 foot waves just offshore are forecast. At worst, this could result in minor coastal flooding and moderate beach erosion for the early Thursday morning high tide (generally 3:30 AM to 4:30 AM along the MA east coast). This will likely be the only high tide with any coastal impacts.

UNCERTAINTY

• This storm has yet to form and is still more than 2 days away. Small-scale details such as the exact location of the rain/snow line are not usually known with high forecast confidence until 24-36 hours prior to the event. 

• A slight shift in storm track will determine whether the heaviest snow would occur across Connecticut into western-central Massachusetts, or farther east into Rhode Island and eastern Massachusetts, impacting the Boston to Providence corridor.

• The location of the rain/snow line remains highly uncertain, ranging from as far west as the Connecticut River Valley to as far east as the Cape Cod Canal.

IMPACTS

• Storm surge and offshore wave action could result in minor coastal flooding and moderate beach erosion during the early Thursday morning high tide.

• Heavy snow and gusty winds will result in hazardous travel conditions due to slippery road conditions and lowered visibility from blowing and drifting snow. Both the Wednesday evening and Thursday morning commutes may be impacted by this event.

• Heavy wet snow in the vicinity of the rain/snow line may result in downed tree branches/limbs, increasing the risk for isolated power outages.

• Gusty winds may cause scattered tree damage, isolated power outages, and possible structure damage, especially in eastern Massachusetts.

Free cleaning supplies at Central Fire Station

Red Cross emergency coordinator Craig Wolfe reports that free storm cleanup supplies have been made available to residents who need them. Visit the Central Fire Station at the corner of A Street and Nantasket Ave. 

If in doubt, throw it out

If you're wondering what can be saved and what must be discarded after power to the refrigerator has been out for an extended period of time, visit this link: https://www.foodsafety.gov/keep/charts/refridg_food.html.

Chief asks everyone to stay off Hull's roads

Fire Chief Chris Russo issued a storm update this afternoon, just after high tide. While he reopened the roads after the tide water receded, he said he expects to close them again in advance of tonight's high tide, around midnight. The chief, who heads up Hull's Emergency Management Team, is asking that – unless it's vital – please stay off the roads.

Here's the gist of his urgent message:

"There are two – possibly three – more tides that will be worse! I will be ordering the roads closed again tonight when we are again flooded. If there are urgent items needed, please take care of them quickly this afternoon, when the roads are open.

We are seeing people all over the South Shore making very poor decisions and travelling into these waters. When darkness sets in later and the water comes back we don't want anyone to lose their life."