First flakes fall, businesses remain open as storm hits

Mar 13, 2018

The first snowflakes of yet another noreaster fell on the tri-town on March 12—the first of what could, by the end of Tuesday, be as much as 18-20 inches.

The National Weather Service has issued a blizzard warning that will only end at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, March 13.

A blizzard warning means severe winter weather conditions, such as falling and blowing snow, strong winds and poor visibility, are expected.

Meteorologists at the National Service predicted possible wind gusts of up to 65 miles per hour—weather ripe for whiteout conditions.

Some businesses will remain open at least during Tuesday morning. A social media posting by The Stowaway, a pub in Mattapoisett, invited locals to come in and "weather the storm" during normal hours, from 10 a.m. - 1 a.m.

Employees at Seahorse Liquors, also in Mattapoisett, said that the store will be open during the morning as well.

More open locations will be added as they announce that they will open.

Residents are encouraged to check their carbon monoxide and smoke detectors, in the wake of several carbon monoxide incidents in the last big storm. Generators should be at least 10-15 feet away from a house, with the exhaust pointing away from the house.

Warming shelters in all three towns will be opened in case of mass power loss. Robocalls and emails stating that the shelter is open will be issued to residents of each town.

The emergency shelters will offer warmth, snacks, and a place to charge cell phones or other electronics, as well as a place to sleep. If the emergency shelter closes and residents require a place to sleep, they will most likely be transported to a regional emergency center.

Rochester's Senior Center is the town's emergency shelter; Marion's emergency shelter is Sippican School, while Mattapoisett's is at Old Rochester Regional High School and possibly the Mattapoisett Fire Station.

Those who cannot drive in the storm but need to get to the shelter can call their town's emergency services (at the non-emergency number) or in Rochester's case, the town's Council on Aging, to get a ride to the shelter.

Trash pick-up on Tuesday in Marion will be moved to Wednesday, and Wednesday’s curbside recycling will be moved to Thursday. Pick-up will also be moved one day later than usual in Mattapoisett.