Storm central: What Concord needs to know

Feb. 1—UPDATE: 10 p.m.

Town offices will remain closed Tuesday, Feb. 2 for non-essential on-site work, employees will continue work remotely as much as possible.

UPDATE: 6:02 p.m.

Tuesday, February 2: Concord Public Schools, CCHS, and Ripley will be closed.

UPDATE: 3:16 p.m.

The White Pond Public Forum has been postponed until Feb. 9 at 6 p.m. due to the storm and the possibility of power outages. Information about White Pond and Zoom info can be found at https://concordma.gov/2721/White-Pond

UPDATE: 11:10 a.m.

Trash and recycling pickup on Tuesday, Feb. 2, will be delayed until Saturday, Feb. 6.

If your trash is picked up on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday, your pickup will not be delayed and your pickup will occur on your normal day, the town posted on its website.

Residents are asked to make sure to have all trash and recycling on the curb by 7 a.m. to ensure pickup and to place barrels and bins at the edge of your driveway so that pedestrians and sidewalk plows can pass safely.

UPDATE: 9:13 a.m.

According to Fire Chief Tom Judge, the town's lone emergency shelter, the Harvey Wheeler Community Center, will be available if needed.

"Especially given the pandemic circumstances, we're hoping not to put people in that type of congregate position," he said. "But we will open it if necessary."

The shelter can house up to 110 residents and is set up to feed people in case it is needed long-term. For those with pets, the shelter can accommodate them, too. Pets will be required to be in carriers, which will be stored downstairs.

The shelter is also supplied with cots and temporary screens for a sense of privacy.

If the town opts to open the shelter, don't wait until after the storm hits. But for those who do, help will be there.

All ambulances in Concord have four-wheel drive. But if the roads are too treacherous, the Concord DPW would assist with a plow.

In case residents need to use the shelter, the following is a partial list of recommended items to bring:

— Clothing and bedding for several days

— Toiletries

— Prescription medications for at least 14 days

— Prescribed medical supplies

— Pharmacy contact information

— Copies of medical insurance and Medicare cards

— Canes, walkers, wheelchairs

— Cell phone and charger

— Extra eyeglasses, hearing aids and batteries

— Photo ID

— Contact numbers for family/friends

— ATM/credit cards

— Small bills and coins for vending machines

— Pet food and supplies

What not to bring?

Judge said weapons will not be allowed in the shelter.

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A winter storm warning is in effect until 5 a.m. Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.

Heavy snow expected with total snow accumulations of 7 to 15 inches. Winds may gust as high as 45 mph.

Travel could be very difficult to impossible. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening commute. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches.

According to AccuWeather, blizzard conditions are possible for the Boston area.

In the town of Concord, offices will be close at 11:30 a.m. Monday will likely remain closed Tuesday. Employees will continue work remotely as much as possible.

Concord Public Schools, Concord-Carlisle Regional High School and Ripley will have a half-day schedule. CCHS and CMS will dismiss at 11:30 a.m. K-5 will dismiss at 12:30 p.m. with no remote learning in the afternoon.

The Concord Journal will provide updates throughout the storm.

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