Roadways see clearing but more work to be done after 30 inches of snow lands in Middleboro
Nearly 3 feet of snow is seen at the Oak Point neighborhood in Middleboro on Tuesday morning. Photos source: John Burbage
In some areas of Middleboro, snow accumulations topped out at 34 inches, Fire Chief Owen Thompson said.
The fire department urges residents to do what they can to clear driveways, sidewalks and fire hydrants while the town focuses on clearing main roadways.
Nearly 3 feet of snow is seen at the Oak Point neighborhood in Middleboro on Tuesday morning. Photos source: John Burbage
In some areas of Middleboro, snow accumulations topped out at 34 inches, Fire Chief Owen Thompson said.
The fire department urges residents to do what they can to clear driveways, sidewalks and fire hydrants while the town focuses on clearing main roadways.
MIDDLEBORO — First responders are struggling to maintain routine services with much of Middleboro covered in nearly 3 feet of snow.
Over the course of the Monday blizzard, around 30 inches of snow fell in Middleboro. The Middleboro Fire Department has not seen any major emergencies, but accessing households while responding to routine calls has been a struggle, Fire Chief Owen Thompson said.
“We have a lot of people who are calling 911 and asking for assistance who don't have driveways or sidewalks plowed, and that is really hurting our ability to respond in an efficient manner,” Thompson said.
He has said the blizzard is historic for Middleboro, and he’s never seen a storm with such intensity and “unbelievable” amounts of snowfall. He said snow in some areas of town reached 34 inches.
Since early Monday the department has responded to over 42 emergency calls for motor vehicle accidents, fire alarm activations and medical emergencies, he said.
Although Thompson said the calls are typical for a normal day, the snow has seriously impacted access to homes. He said first responders have carried several patients down 100- to 300-feet-long, snow-covered driveways.
“That has been very difficult for us. There have been very, very labor intensive calls over the course of the last 24 to 36 hours,” Thompson said. “Trying to get to even our normal routine calls is tough right now.”
All of Middleboro’s main roads are currently wide enough for public safety officials to travel, Thompson said. The Department of Public Works is continuing to widen main roads and trying to clear smaller side streets.
Governor Maura Healey lifted the county-wide travel ban for non-emergency vehicles at noon on Tuesday.
With scattered snow showers expected this week, Thompson urges residents to clear snow from driveways, sidewalks and fire hydrants if safely possible.
Thompson said residents with heating vents outside their homes should ensure they are clear of snow. If clogged, dangerous amounts of carbon-monoxide can build up, and heating systems may shut off entirely.
