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MASSACHUSETTS EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY

SITUATIONAL AWARENESS STATEMENT

FEBRUARY 4, 2011 4:00 PM



The National Weather Service (NWS) has provided the following information about the storm that
is predicted to impact the state tomorrow night (Saturday) into Sunday morning. Although the
predicted snow and rain totals for this storm are significantly less than the last few storms, there
is concern that the precipitation will increase the weight on roofs and cause additional collapses
and structural damage. Please see the Public Safety Advisory that is posted at www.mass.gov/mem
a for warning signs of structural weakness and imminent collapse, and safety tips for clearing
snow from roofs. (Since Wednesday morning, MEMA has received reports of more than 85 roof
collapses and buildings experiencing potential structural damage as a result
of snow loads on roofs.)



Summary from the National Weather Service:

Precipitation is expected to impact the state Saturday night into Sunday morning.
Total water equivalent precipitation for this storm will be 0.5 to 1 inch.



Precipitation

North of Rt. 2: Snow will begin near dark and end shortly after daybreak. A total of 5 to 8
inches of snow is expected. The snow may mix with sleet or freezing rain in the Merrimack
River valley from Manchester to Nashua.



Between Rt. 2 and Mass Pike (including Boston/Worcester/Springfield): This area will
experience rain and sleet with pockets of freezing rain beginning late afternoon Saturday. Up
to .1 inch of ice accretion is possible in the Connecticut River valley. The precipitation is
expected to change over to all snow after midnight and end by daybreak Sunday. A total o
f 2-4 inches of snow is forecast.



South of the Mass Pike: Rain will begin mid to late afternoon Saturday, possibly mixed with
sleet and freezing rain. Up to .1 inch of ice accretion is possible in the Connecticut River
valley. The precipitation may change over to all snow before ending around daybreak on
Sunday. Up to an inch of snow is forecast.



Wind

Saturday: Northeast winds, shifting to the north. 10-20mph.

Sunday: Northwest winds. 10-20mph, but gusts up to 25 mph are possible along the coast.


Temperatures


Northern MA: Temperatures are expected to be in the 20s Saturday night,
rising to 30-35 on Sunday.


Mass Pike corridor: Temperatures are expected to be in the low to mid 30s, dropping into
the 20s by daybreak. Highs in the mid to upper 30s are forecast for Sunday.


Southeastern MA: Temperatures are expected to be in the mid 30s Saturday night,
dropping to around 30. Highs of 35-40 degrees are forecast for Sunday.



Upcoming Weather Events

Two more storms are forecast to impact Massachusetts next week: one late Monday
through early Tuesday with about .5 inch of precipitation and possibly more, and a more
significant storm on Thursday bringing 1 inch of precipitation and possibly more.

Impacts

A total of 2-3 inches of water equivalent precipitation is possible from the three storms
forecast for the next several days. Whether precipitation is rain or snow, it will exacerbate
existing issues with snow loading on roofs.

Download more info

PLANNING AHEAD
Searching for Shelters Before Disaster Emergencies

CMDART encourages Central Massachusett municipalities and residents to be on
the scout for facilities suitable for emergency animal shelters. These sites should be
pre-determined and registered BEFORE a disaster strikes and are part of the
Memorandum of Understanding that towns agree to when enlisting the services
of CMDART. In general, they should be near the human shelter sites in order
to aid pet owner accessibility during a disaster.

Facilities should have:

* proper water
* intake and interviewing space

* outside exercise and toilet areas for pets
* quarters to separate cats from dogs
* temperature controlled area for other pocket pets and reptiles
* room or large hallway for medical triage
* handicapped access if possible
* decontamination and bathing area for animals


* easy and secured access in and out of the facility to avoid traffic
hangups and animal encounters
* storage area for equipment and food
* outdoor space for large animal trailers
* loading and unloading area
* space for staff, sleeping/eating if possible
Just to name a few....

For a complete list of facility criteria contact president@cmdart.org to get more
information and to register an interest in having your facility considered as a
potential emergency animal site.