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January 21st snowstorm: no activation of regional shelter system at this time

 

BCREPC Media Release 2014-02-001

January 21, 2014

For Immediate Release

 January 21st snowstorm: no activation of regional shelter system at this time

BARNSTABLE – The Barnstable County Regional Emergency Planning Committee (BCREPC) held a conference call at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 21, 2014, to discuss the upcoming winter weather event.

The most recent forecasts indicate the snow will be of the dry/fluffy variety similar to the storm earlier in January. It is not expected to cause wide-spread power outages. Because of low astronomical tides and winds that will be more northerly, the risk of coastal flooding is reduced. Pockets of minor coastal flooding and erosion are possible. For those reasons, the decision was made not to activate the regional shelter system at this time. It was also determined that the Multi-Agency Coordinatino Center (MACC) operated by the Barnstable County Incident Management Team will not be activated.

Citizens are advised to monitor weather forecasts and prepare for bitterly cold temperatures during and after the storm. The weather conditions are forecast to meet the criteria of a meterological blizzard with winds speeds over 35 mph and under one-quarter-mile visibility over a span of three hours. Travel should be avoided during the evening, overnight, and early morning hours. There is the potential for a major impact to the Wednesday morning commute as strong winds and heavy snow may be continuing. The storm should taper off later Wednesday morning.

The BCREPC will continue to monitor the situation and will re-evaluate its response framework if conditions change.

For information about preparedness and sheltering visit the Barnstable County REPC website at www.bcrepc.org. 

Additional information on preparedness is available from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) at www.mass.gov/mema or the FEMA website at www.ready.gov or call 2-1-1. For specific local information, citizens should contact the emergency management office in their town.

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