City Paralyzed by Snow Storm

Chelsea’s main thoroughfares became the focus of intensive snow removal efforts as a major winter storm essentially shut down the city on Wednesday. Educational institutions closed their doors. Numerous retail establishments remained unopened, and municipal facilities, including Chelsea City Hall, were inaccessible to the public (with the exception of emergency staff). Throughout the height of the storm, plowing operations worked continuously to maintain passability on primary routes, as evidenced by a photograph taken near 11:30 a.m. depicting multiple plows moving up Broadway through heavy snowfall. The Northeast system deposited approximately 18″ of snow across the city and surrounding areas. The combination of heavy snow, subsequent sharp temperature decline, and intensified winds resulted in multiple cable and electrical line failures, most notably affecting a power line positioned near the Central Fire Station. More than 20 emergency calls were fielded by the Chelsea Fire Department during the event. Chains were installed on the rear tires of all fire apparatus to improve traction on the snow-covered streets. A thick blanket of white covered Chelsea’s landscape. Despite continuous plowing operations, deteriorating conditions throughout the day made many secondary streets and elevated areas increasingly difficult to navigate. A midday survey of the city showed largely empty streets. Caravans of plows worked to maintain the main arteries in passable condition. Snow accumulated on Broadway downtown and at Bellingham Square, though both remained traversable. The Marketbasket’s decision to remain closed suggested the severity of the weather event. Approximately 50 vehicles were removed by the city under snow emergency protocols. The city had issued its parking emergency/snow emergency notification through web posting, cable television, and mainstream media outlets 12 hours prior to the storm’s arrival. The city additionally coordinated with Verizon to execute a reverse 911 notification system that alerted thousands of residents immediately. Numerous vehicles parked along narrow city streets became encased in snow. As temperatures plummeted afterward, the light snow transformed into solid ice formations.