BLIZZARD: Peabody Storm Center

PEABODY PATCH STORM CENTRAL UPDATES, CLOSINGS and MORE:

Saturday, Feb. 9 —

7:30 p.m.

• Here's a list of several Peabody businesses we know are back open tonight.

6:27 p.m.

• Report of a male driver who crashed car into a snowbank on Oak Street. Caller says man walking around with beer can in his hand.

6 p.m.

• If you were planning on heading to church tomorrow, make sure to check beforehand if your place of worship is actually planning on holding services. A number of churches have already canceled services and local temples and synagogues canceled services for today.

4 p.m.

• The statewide driving ban is no longer in effect, although plows are still out there clearing snow, so be careful and steer clear of them.

1:34 p.m.

• The following chart is compiled from information released by the National Weather Service in Taunton based on unofficial observations taken during the past five hours of the storm. Reports come from highway departments, residents, news outlets, Skywarn spotters and others.

1:31 p.m.

• Report of a plow on fire at the 7-Eleven on Lowell Street. This is the third plow that has caught fire during this storm.

1:23 p.m.

• Report of a water main break at 5 Stuart Rd.

1:12 p.m.

• The Blizzard Warning expired at 1 p.m. today. Here's the latest Peabody forecast update from the National Weather Service: "Areas of blowing snow and a chance of snow before 5 p.m., then a slight chance of snow after 5 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 20. Blustery, with a northwest wind 23 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 41 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent. Total daytime snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible."

1 p.m.

• Governor's office says the statewide driving ban will be lifted as of 4 p.m. today. "Please continue to stay off the roads unless necessary to allow plows, utility crews and public safety officials to clear streets and restore power. Use common sense and be safe."
• At this time, the city of Peabody's parking ban will remain in place and the Northshore Mall will stay closed today after all.

11:13 a.m.

• No mail delivery today and statewide travel ban still in effect.

10:56 a.m.

• 25.5 inches of total snow reported this morning for Peabody.

9 a.m.

• No power outages reported in Peabody at this time. And that situation on Lynnfield Street was resolved within an hour from when it happened, a reader tells us.

7:04 a.m.

• The latest local forecast says more snow mainly before 2 p.m. -- 4-8 inches possible. The high for today is near 25 degrees and with winds of 23 to 26 mph. Gusts could be as high as 37 mph.

1:15 a.m.

• A transformer blew on Lynnfield Street, knocking out power to residents from Goodwin Circle to the Torigian Family YMCA.

12:30 a.m.

• National Weather Service still says 15-21 inches of snow expected overnight. The Saturday forecast says more heavy snow at times and about 6-10 inches possible of new accumulation. Blizzard Warning in effect until 1 p.m. Saturday. Gusts could reach 80 mph.

Friday, Feb. 8 —

11:10 p.m.

• Peabody Fire says plow truck now extinguished and Engine 7 needs to be refilled before it can go back into service in West Peabody.

10:44 p.m.

• Second pump engine requested to scene of plow truck fire.

10:36 p.m.

• Report of a plow truck on fire, fully involved in flames.

10:30 p.m.

• Vehicle from Bartholomew Street still being towed by Phil's Towing back to Public Services garage, but having difficult time because the plow is down.

9:42 p.m.

• National Weather Service predicts 15-21 inches of snow throughout tonight for Peabody with 60mph wind gusts possible.

7:57 p.m.

• Peabody Fire responding to Bartholomew Street near the pond on a report of a city plow vehicle possibly on fire.

5:12 p.m.

• The latest local forecast for the Peabody area says snow may be heavy at times overnight with a low around 13 degrees. The wind chill go down to -4 and expect 21-31 mph winds with gusts up to 48 mph. The total nighttime snow accumulation is predicted between 14 and 20 inches.

5 p.m.

• "Please refrain from dialing 911 unless you have a true emergency. Questions relative to parking, driving, plowing, weather, etc should be directed to our business lines as follows: 978-531-1212, 1214 or 1226. A true emergency response may be delayed while we are answering questions. Thank you for your understanding" -- Peabody Police Department

2:15 p.m.

• Scosso Ristorante & Martini Bar says it will be closed today.

2 p.m.

• "As of right now, and due to this pending storm, Champions is planning on closing today at 5 p.m. Please check back here for updates! Be safe everyone!" says Champions Pub, Peabody.

2 p.m.

• "We will be closing at 2:30 today to allow our staff enough time to get home safely. Be safe everyone!" says Perfecto's Caffe Peabody.

1:45 p.m.

• Both Northshore Mall and Liberty Tree Mall will close early today at 2 p.m. More information will be available later regarding Saturday opening.

12:16 p.m.

• Parking available at Higgins, Carroll and Welch schools for any residents in area who don't have access to off-street parking. Cars need to be moved by 8 a.m. Saturday so lots can be cleared for school on Monday.

12 p.m.

• Starting at noon, Peabody police will be ticketing cars still parked in the street in violation of the emergency parking ban. Vehicles will be towed if they impede flow or access for emergency vehicles or plowing operations. Fine is $50.

8:30 a.m.

• The Torigian Family YMCA will close at 1 p.m. today After-school childcare program closed at noon. Morning classes are still happening. All classes have been cancelled for Saturday and an opening time will be determined based on the weather conditions.

8 a.m.

• On-street parking citywide will be prohibited from here on out until further notice.

7:51 a.m.

• Making a Difference in Peabody will be available to place Peabody residents in hotels in case of emergency during the storm. Contact Scott Frasca at 978-317-4388 with your situation and a leave message.

4:39 a.m.

• National Weather Service says total snowfall prediction now up to 3 feet by Saturday. Blizzard Warning in effect until 1 p.m. Saturday.

Thursday, Feb. 7 —

5:50 p.m.

• Governor Patrick has asked all drivers to be off the road by noon Friday.

4:30 p.m.

• All schools in Peabody closed Friday.

3:55 p.m.

• National Weather Service issues Blizzard Warning for much of Massachusetts, along with Coastal Flood Warning.

2:30 p.m.

• Mayor's office says JRM Hauling & Recycling will pick up trash tomorrow. Extra crews will be on duty to make sure all pickups completed before brunt of storm rolls in.

1 p.m.

• Due to the blizzard, the McVann-O'Keefe Skating Rink says it will be closing at 2 p.m. on Friday and closed all day. The staff plans to re-open Sunday for all activities.

12:20 p.m.

• Peabody police announce city anticipates declaring an emergency parking ban effective 8 a.m. on Friday.

10:39 a.m. 

• Massachusetts Court System announces all courthouses and offices will close early at 3 p.m. on Friday "based on the extreme weather predictions for tomorrow and our concern for the safety and security for our employees, the public, jurors and others."

10 a.m.

• "20-plus inches of snow forcasted for our area! Phone ringing off the hook, people lining up with their machines that haven't ran in almost two years! Still have a quick moment to update our Facebook friends!" reports Don's Power Equipment.

Wednesday, Feb. 6 —

10 p.m.

• National Weather Service issues Coastal Flood Watch. Moderate flooding expected Friday night in coastal communities with a greater possibility of major flooding during high tide Saturday morning. Flood-prone areas, such as downtown Peabody, are also at risk of some significant flooding at high tide.

10 p.m.

• The latest forecast says 18-24 inches with the heaviest snowfall between Friday night and Saturday morning. Snowfall may be 2-3 inches per hour.

3:19 p.m.

• The Blizzard Watch is official. The National Weather Service says 1-2 feet of snow at least with sustained high winds and poor visibility.

2:15 p.m.

• Local forecasts predict 15-20 inches of snow for Peabody area between Friday and Saturday afternoon. The National Weather Service has a Winter Storm Watch in effect, but warns it may turn into a blizzard.

Scroll down for important phone numbers, websites and more. Stay with Peabody Patch as we keep you updated throughout the storm.

See a tree down in your neighborhood? Notice a road is icy? Just saw a store clerk put out more snow melt products? Please use this story on Peabody Patch to help out your neighbors.

As we weather the storm, we want to make sure that Peabody stays connected. For live updates, be sure to download our App for your smartphone or tablet and 'like' Peabody Patch on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. And make sure you're signed up for our e-mail newsletter.

Peabody Patch is all about connecting neighbors and helping neighbors so we hope you’ll find this information hub helpful during the storm. Stay safe Peabody!

IMPORTANT NUMBERS and WEBSITES: 

• In an emergency, dial 911
• Police Department: 978-531-1212
• Fire Department: 978-531-3444
• Public Services: 978-536-0600
• Peabody Municipal Light Plant: 978-531-5975
• National Grid gas emergencies: 800-233-5325
• Comcast: 1-800-COMCAST (800-266-2278)
• Verizon: 1-800-VERIZON (800-837-4966)

List of tow companies: 

• Arrington Towing: 978-532-0797
• Four Star Service: 978-535-9847
• Gaeta's Gas & Auto Services: 978-535-3186
• Mallia's Towing: 978-531-9832

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