Worcester Declares Winter Weather Emergency: Parking Ban, School Closures

WORCESTER, MA — The City of Worcester declared a Winter Weather Emergency effective at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 21.

This comes ahead of a major winter storm that is expected to hit Massachusetts on Sunday into Monday. Worcester is expecting anywhere from 18 to 31 inches of snow, along with strong winds that could create blizzard-like conditions.

Related: Blizzard Could Drop 30 Inches Of Snow In Boston Area

“The City of Worcester is once again preparing for a major snow event,” said City Manager Eric D. Batista. “With significant amounts of snow and blizzard-like conditions predicted over a long period of time, I am asking residents to please be patient as DPW workers and private contractors work to clear the streets and I am calling on you to do your part. Please adhere to the parking ban and remain off the streets unless travel is an emergency. With snow still on the ground and the anticipated length of this storm it will take time for crews to make the streets safe for travel.”

Residents are being asked to avoid city streets as of 4 p.m. on Sunday, and Worcester Public Schools, all Worcester Public Library branches, Worcester City Hall, and the Residential Drop-Off Center will be closed on Monday.

Trash and recycling will also be delayed, resulting in a one-day delay for the rest of the week.

Parking Ban

The city is asking residents to avoid city streets as part of an ongoing Declared Winter Parking Ban that went into effect on Wednesday.

The following municipal parking garages were free on Saturday: Union Station Garage, Worcester Common Garage, Pearl Elm Garage, Federal Plaza Garage, and Major Taylor Garage. On Sunday, the Federal Plaza Garage and all other municipal garages will be free during the Winter Parking Ban.

During the parking ban, parking is not allowed on either side of main arteries, emergency and bus routes, and streets in the downtown area that are critical to traffic flow. Residents can search their streets online at this link.

Towing and ticketing may be enforcement to keep the streets clear, according to the city.

School Closures

Many schools in Worcester will be closed on Monday. Worcester Public Schools announced that all of its scholols and administration offices will be closed due to the forecast of heavy snow. Head Start and after-school activities are also canceled.

For information on closures of private schools and colleges and universities in the city, check their websites.

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