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It's official: This is an emergency

By adamg on Fri, 08/26/2011 - 1:32pm

Irene passing Cuba Thursday afternoon. Photo by Ron Garan aboard the International Space Station.Irene passing Cuba Thursday afternoon. Photo by Ron Garan on the International Space Station.

Gov. Patrick just declared a state of emergency for this weekend. Urges residents to stock up on food, medicine and batteries. Says 2,000 National Guard troops to be called up by tomorrow. Stay off the roads starting Saturday evening. Reservoirs drawn down to allow more room for up to ten inches of rain; MWRA pumping station in Marlborough braced with back-up generators to continue providing water for Boston area.

State Transportation Secretary Jeff Mullan said he expects MBTA service to run on schedule.

Neighborhoods: 
Boston
Topics: 
Weather
Free tagging: 
Hurricane Irene


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Comments

By Molly on Fri, 08/26/2011 - 1:37pm.

But the MBTA is expecting "normal operations".

Yeah, sounds about right actually.

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By roadman on Fri, 08/26/2011 - 1:39pm.

Weekend schedule for the T, which is already minimal service.

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By issacg on Fri, 08/26/2011 - 1:43pm.

Right on, Molly. Operations on the Green Line in the vicinity of Kenmore were "normal" for the 10 years following the 27 inches of snow on April Fools Day in the late 90s followed by 72 degress two days later and a very angry Muddy River.

On a more serious note, the surface lines might in real bad shape on Mon/Tues (trees down - and yeah, I'm looking at you D-Line). The subway will be swimming.

Has Davey been officially installed as Head of DOT yet? If so, Welcome to the Party, Rich.

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By adamg on Fri, 08/26/2011 - 1:44pm.

Jeff Mullan was at the governor's press conference.

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By issacg on Fri, 08/26/2011 - 1:46pm.

That's what I thought...either way, both men, but Davey in particular, should be very wary if anyone, particularly the Governor, tells them that they're "doin' a heck of a job."

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By anon on Fri, 08/26/2011 - 9:13pm.

The MBTA needs to shut down the Subways, and replace them with bus service before the storm starts, to prevent flooding. New York City has the right idea.

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By anon on Sat, 08/27/2011 - 1:01pm.

New York shutting down busses to, according to the news interview w/ NYPD chief last night.
NOT the right idea, in my opinion.

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By cubiclegirl on Fri, 08/26/2011 - 2:00pm.

The T gets delayed when the sun is shining!

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By roadman on Fri, 08/26/2011 - 2:04pm.

I just got this e-mail from MBCR:

To All of Our Customers on All Lines
Hurricane Irene Service Advisory

Based on current weather reports, MBCR advises all customers of the potential for service delays, cancellations and/or temporary service suspension on all lines, on Sunday, August 29th and Monday, August 30th.

Accordingly, MBCR advises customers to make frequent checks of service alerts/advisories on www.mbta.com for updated travel information before making travel plans on Sunday and continuing through Monday.

While it is too early to predict the severity of the storm’s effect in our area, the extent of potential service disruption is tied to the path of Hurricane Irene. Potential problems include the falling of trees and/or other debris onto the tracks; flooding of tracks; and damage to equipment and track systems.

MBCR has assigned crews and equipment to be on standby to clear debris as quickly and safely as possible. MBCR engineering crews will inspect and monitor known flood locations throughout the storm.

MBCR will continue to stockpile material and make all necessary arrangements throughout the weekend in order to be prepared for the impact of Hurricane Irene and recovery of commuter rail service after the storm subsides. Additionally, MBCR managers will be in place to respond to any area that experiences a weather-related service disruption.

No agency can respond alone to an event such as a major hurricane. MBCR is working closely with Governor Patrick’s staff, MassDOT, the MBTA, MEMA, and the U.S. Coast Guard to identify problems as they arise and coordinate a swift, safe response.

Throughout the weekend, MBCR will have additional staff working to ensure delivery of accurate, timely messages through all available communication channels, including T Alerts, LED message boards, and social media streams. Please note all communication channels are subject to system availability in the event of power outages.

In closing, MBCR thanks all customers in advance for their patience as staff work to address the potential impacts of Hurricane Irene. Our team will do everything possible to minimize service delays while ensuring the safety of passengers and employees.

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By Suldog on Fri, 08/26/2011 - 2:08pm.

New York has already announced a noon SATURDAY shutdown of their entire system.

Suldog
http://jimsuldog.blogspot.com

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By Peter on Fri, 08/26/2011 - 2:24pm.

Given that Boston has water main breaks all the time, it's a good idea to keep a few gallons of bottled water on hand, for that or for hurricanes.

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By SwirlyGrrl on Fri, 08/26/2011 - 7:22pm.

If this thing hits at high tide, a minimal storm surge will flood the system - I've seen estimates that it could be as high as 16 feet over mean low water - six to ten feet higher than flood stage for the subway.

eeek!

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By SwirlyGrrl on Fri, 08/26/2011 - 7:20pm.

Why do I have the "bad storm and the tracks are flooded" trouble music going through my brain ...

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By jillg on Fri, 08/26/2011 - 9:48pm.

lol the dates are incorrect Monday is the 29th.

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By JeffT on Fri, 08/26/2011 - 3:02pm.

Let's hope the MBTA is smart and sandbags the entrances to the tunnel at the green lines BEFORE the rains start

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By J on Fri, 08/26/2011 - 3:26pm.

Wonder how the silver line will hold up.

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By anon² on Fri, 08/26/2011 - 3:54pm.

The pumps in the tunnel are already going full force to keep groundwater at bay....

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By anon on Fri, 08/26/2011 - 3:47pm.

http://twitter.com/#!/HarveyWCVB/status/1071396235...

Harvey says it's going to be worse than Gloria. Better take that French Toast alert up as high as it'll go.

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By anon on Fri, 08/26/2011 - 6:35pm.

Wouldn't take much to be worse than Gloria, which was basically a non-event, just like Bob and the other forgotten ones the media got so hysterical over.

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By Peter on Fri, 08/26/2011 - 10:07pm.

Ya the non-issues of Bob included no electricity at my home for over a week, no showers, refrigeration, flushing water and other non-issues like the thousands of locust trees that fell and boats that sank, and the other non-issues.

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By MT.anon on Fri, 08/26/2011 - 4:17pm.

Due to the threat of extreme weather associated with Hurricane Irene the White Mountain National Forest HAS BEEN CLOSED effective 6PM Saturday August 27, 2011 through midnight Monday August 29, 2011.

http://news.outdoors.org/2011/08/advisory-white-mo...

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By anon² on Fri, 08/26/2011 - 9:00pm.

Yeah sounds funny, until you realize there's probably people up there hiking, camping, and what not... not all tunes in to whats going on every minute in TVAPOCALYPSELAND.

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By anon on Fri, 08/26/2011 - 4:18pm.

...whats happening with the Caribbean Festival...

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By anon on Fri, 08/26/2011 - 6:26pm.

why do they keep telling us to stockpile water?
Is the gravity system that feeds dozens of towns and cities in the metro are going to stop flowing or become contaminated?
I could understand if you had a private well that relies on electricity, but most towns have modern systems that will continue to deliver.
That said, I have been stockpiling ICE!

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By SwirlyGrrl on Fri, 08/26/2011 - 7:37pm.

Hurricanes can come with massive floodwaters - that means washouts and spillovers of sewerage into water sources.

That's aside from pump failures.

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By Kaz on Fri, 08/26/2011 - 7:41pm.

Flooding could disrupt and erode the soil near/around important water mains and cause a pipe to collapse leading to a loss of water pressure, etc.

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By Ron Newman on Fri, 08/26/2011 - 9:38pm.

according to BostonCarnival.com. So it shouldn't be affected by the hurricane at all.

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By adamg on Fri, 08/26/2011 - 7:21pm.

Tropical storm warning for rest of state.

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