With Winter Storm Juno bringing snow to states across the East Coast, state, city and Boston University officials have made changes to regular-day schedules in an effort to keep residents safe.
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker announced a State of Emergency for the entire Commonwealth in a Monday release sent out at approximately 1 p.m.
Baker said in a later press conference that the Commonwealth anticipated “white-out conditions” and “extreme snowfall with hurricane force winds” for an extended period of time.
“Some places may experience 75 mph gusts,” Baker said.
In addition to high winds, Baker stressed the dangerous proximity of many residents to the Massachusetts coastline, emphasizing the threat of coastal flooding.
A statewide travel ban took effect on Tuesday morning at midnight, with MBTA service also shutting down at the same time.
“We are encouraging everyone with the exception of major medical emergencies to stay off the roads until the snow has passed,” Baker said in the conference. “I can’t stress this point enough.”
Boston Mayor Martin Walsh also held a press conference Monday, announcing a parking ban for the city of Boston effective at 6 p.m. that day. Illegally parked cars were granted a period of two hours to move from the streets, and city officials began towing at 8 p.m.
“We’ve been through blizzards before, and I’m confident that we’re prepared,” Walsh said in the press conference.
Walsh encouraged citizens of Boston to check on their neighbors, especially the elderly and disabled, throughout the storm.
Following Walsh, other city officials spoke at the press conference, including the commissioners of the Boston Police Department and the Boston Fire Department, announcing increased resources throughout the storm.
BFD Commissioner Joseph Finn said the department would be activating additional fire committees, and BPD Commissioner William Evans announced increased patrol presence throughout the storm.
“We encourage everyone to stay off the road, even if you think you can handle it,” Evans said.
Walsh has opened a hotline for information on available services, which will be staffed around the clock, though he encouraged residents to call 911 with any emergency.
