Blizzard cleanup begins after Boston buried in 17 inches of snow
Boston was hammered by a powerful blizzard Monday. Now the hard work begins for those who live in the city and have to clean up the snow.
Several communities in Massachusetts received over three feet of snow, largely in the southeastern part of the state. Boston, meanwhile, ended up with 17.1 inches of snow, according to the National Weather Service.
Boston schools were closed Tuesday for a second straight day. Mayor Michelle Wu announced later in the day that students will return to the classroom on Wednesday.
"Thank you to all our City workers for the nonstop hard work to keep everyone safe, and thank you to our residents for doing your part," Wu said in a statement. "Because of the intensive efforts during this extended period, including operationalizing large-scale daytime snow removal for the first time ever, we've been able to get ahead of more snow expected tomorrow with major thoroughfares clear and passable. We continue to remind all property owners to clear their sidewalks so neighbors can safely navigate the streets. Thank you for continuing to be a good neighbor, and stay safe."
Boston snow emergency
Wu announced Tuesday afternoon that the snow emergency and parking ban that had been in place since Sunday have been lifted.
The mayor said the city received feedback after the last major storm that lifting the parking ban too soon hampered snow removal efforts because cars were in the way.
"We're really trying to prioritize not just clearing the snow and pushing it to the side but removing it and taking it away to snow farms to be melted," Wu told WBZ-TV Tuesday morning.
Wu said the approach for removal will be a bit different this time as well. She said residents may see large piles in the middle of blocks. The mayor said the goal is to move snow into piles away from intersections until it can be hauled away to snow farms.
Snow removal improvements
Some South Boston residents say cleanup has gone smoother post-blizzard, compared to the last major winter storm.
"Last time it was a mess. So, this is even better. Before they didn't even clear out the sidewalk passages and stuff," said South Boston resident Audrey Eccles.
Chloe Adamowicz spent roughly four hours shoveling her car out Monday night in South Boston and another 30 minutes Tuesday morning.
"I'd rather do it in increments than be stuck with a bigger problem," she said.
Harrison Mackinlay had already spent 45 minutes clearing out in South Boston and had more work to do in order to get his car out.
"One of the worst storms I've seen at least," Mackinlay said. "The hardest part is just finding where to put the snow. You've got to bring onto the banks here. You can't really throw it in the street, you don't want to throw it on the sidewalks. So that's probably one of the hardest parts."
It was a similar scene in Dorchester, where Eileen Smith spent hours digging out her home.
"The aftermath is always something that is difficult. You can see the mounds of snow that have piled up," Smith said. "We're getting close to not having any where to put it."
Boston space saver rules
Like many Southie residents, Mackinlay plans to hold his spot with a space saver. Adamowicz said her space saver is a massive 20-pound shoe rack.
But Mayor Wu reminded everyone that space savers are only allowed for 48 hours after a snow emergency is lifted.
"It's a unique Boston tradition, but one that we have seen actually can lead to quite a bit of conflict in the neighborhoods," Wu said. "Towards the end of this week, we will be enforcing the space saver ban. Usually what happens is the trash trucks pick them up as they go on their normal trash collection runs."
The city says it has towed nearly 1,000 cars as crews continue to focus on clearing main arteries and school access roads.
Residents are and responsible for clearing sidewalks all the way around their property to the curb.
The City of Boston organized groups of volunteers to help shovel neighbors' sidewalks and fire hydrants.
"It's been a pretty rough storm, rough winter overall so wanted to come help out, take a mid-afternoon work break and help the community," said Timothy Ennis, who volunteered to shovel near his South Boston neighborhood.
Adamowicz said it's a lot of work after a storm, but worthwhile.
"I think it's worth a couple days of chaos to live in the city," she said.