LAKEVILLE — The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning that will last from 1 a.m. Tuesday to 1 a.m. Wednesday, and has forecasted between four to eight inches of snow for Lakeville and Middleboro. The warning also forecasts “winds gusting as high as 50 mph.”

Middleboro Fire Chief Owen Thompson said that Middleboro residents “should stay at home if they have the ability to do that.”

“The snowfall rate during the late morning and the beginning of the afternoon could be about 1 to 3 inches, and coming down that fast plows are not going to be able to keep up,” Thompson said. He added that the town of Middleboro held an emergency management meeting on Monday, Feb. 12 before the storm so that multiple town departments, such as the Fire Department and the Department of Public Works, could coordinate their response to the storm. The Fire Department will have additional staffing on Tuesday and the Department of Public Works would have “all of its town employees plus its contract plows” available on Tuesday, Thompson added.

Lakeville Fire Chief Michael O’Brien recommended that Lakeville residents “stay off the roads and only travel out if necessary” in the event of a storm. He added that residents should “have some flashlights ready and keep your cell phones charged up” and that power outages could be a possibility in the event of a winter storm.

“Most of the risks this storm will create can be avoided by staying home.  Anytime there are strong gusts of wind there is a danger of falling trees and branches.  If you can avoid being under or around these trees please do,” O’Brien said.

Alan Strauss, the superintendent of the Lakeville School District, said that the decision to cancel school in the event of a storm is not an “exact science.” However, Strauss said that the District attempts to “inform parents as early as possible so they can plan for child care if necessary.”

“Last year for our one snow day we called the day the night prior,” Strauss said. “The timing of the storm and forecast for the length of the storm… helps us determine whether a delay is possible or not,” he added.

Thompson said that if residents go outside, “they should make sure that they are wearing appropriate clothing so they can stay dry and warm.” He added that if residents encounter any downed power lines, “all power lines should be treated as live” and that residents should avoid going near any downed power lines. Thompson said that carbon monoxide could pose a risk to residents during a storm and that residents should make sure their fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are working, and that residents should clear snow out of any heating vents to avoid any buildups of carbon monoxide.

O’Brien said that two additional firefighters would be working on Tuesday to deal with any potential impacts from the storm. 

“Lakeville residents are a hardy bunch: they've been through these storms before,” O’Brien said. “With any luck, the storm will be a big flop and all of the preparations for nothing.  That would make me very happy.”