UPDATE 3/14/23 10:21pm – There are some power outages in the area. As of the most recent update, 35,999 customers in Massachusetts without power including Gardner: 278 (3%), Westminster: 764, Hubbardston: 690 Winchendon: 4225 (95%), Ashby: 1306 (90%) Barre; 21 Latest Map, CLICK HERE. Most affected areas of the state include North Central Massachusetts and Counties to the West including Franklin, Hampshire, Hampden, and Berkshire Counties. Power is being gradually restored to some areas in Western Massachusetts where earlier in the day many had 75% without power. Ashby has 90% without, Townsend 60% without, and Lunenburg has 60% without.
Hard hit by the storm, town of Hubbardston Town Administrator Nate Boudreau stated to us,”Hubbardston is usually hit pretty hard due to the lay of the land. There are NG contractors on the ground already. Town Public Safety and Emergency Management leaders are asking residents to have patience as they work to restore power as conditions allow. If residents have any concerns please call 978-928-4423 or 911 if it is an emergency.”
From the Town of Templeton 3/14/23 2:25pm. “”The town of Templeton has declared a state of emergency. The Nor Easter weather event is expected to bring additional heavy snow fall and 55 to 65 mph winds through the night and into tomorrow. The potential impact on heavily snow late and trees may cause power outages and Road blockages or closures as DPW buildings and grounds and power and light crews try to keep ahead of the storm you can help them by staying off the roads do not impact operations. Every community bordering Templeton is currently experiencing power outages to report down branches trees power outages or any other non-emergent request for assistance please call 978-939-5638. In the event of an emergency dial 911.”
Information on parking in Gardner, Area School closings, power outages, and our Weather Center.
City of Gardner MA Planning Proactively for Upcoming Storm
Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson issued the following communication on March 13, 2023 at 11:28am: “The National Weather Service is currently predicting 12-21 inches of snow for our area as part of a Winter Storm Warning and Hazardous Weather Advisory that they have issued.
In consultation with the Department of Public Works and the Gardner Police Department, there will be an on-street parking ban beginning this evening, Monday, March 13, 2023 at 9:30pm, and expiring at 7:00am on Wednesday, March 15th, as authorized by §600-23(a) of the City Code.”
“Since this is one of the few instances in which the City will be implementing a daytime parking ban in addition to an all-night parking ban, we will be waiving the provisions of §600-23(D) and allow individuals to park in public parking lots throughout the duration of the parking ban, instead of having to remove the vehicles from 7am-9am following an all-night parking ban. As such, parking WILL be allowed ALL DAY in all public parking lots of the City through the duration of the on-street parking ban.”
AREA SCHOOL CLOSINGS
For closings at any time, CLICK HERE for the latest across Massachusetts. As of 7:15pm on March 13, 2023, here are the closings for Tuesday March 14, 2023: Ashburnham-Westminster, Athol-Royalston Regional, Gardner, Monty-Tech, Mount Wachusett Community College, Narragansett Regional, Nashoba Regional, Quabbin Regional, Wachusett Regional, Winchendon.
Power Outages
The State of Massachusetts updates its MEMA Power Outage map every 15 minutes, CLICK HERE
Weather Forecast
While Gardner Magazine shows a basic forecast at the top of each town page, our Greater Gardner Weather Center utilizes a number of sources, has various weather maps, and provides reports from 4 different airports. Greater Gardner Weather Center, CLICK HERE.