Record 37-Inch Snowfall Hits New Bedford

NEW BEDFORD (WBSM) — It was officially a record snowfall in New Bedford on Monday, as Mayor Jon Mitchell updated residents on the snow removal efforts in the city.

37 Inches Sets New Bedford Snowfall Record

Mitchell held a press conference this morning and said the National Weather Service’s official tally of 37 inches of snow in New Bedford on Monday is the largest snowfall in the city’s recorded history.

How the Blizzard Complicated Snow Removal

However, he said the hurricane-force wind gusts that accompanied the blizzard made plowing especially difficult, as the wind would blow snow back onto plowed roads, and Mitchell said it was “as though we were plowing the same city over three times.”

Mitchell said that plow drivers were pulled from plowing side streets because of the worsening conditions Monday, but that they continued to plow the main streets.

“They’re not in bad shape. They’re passable,” Mitchell said of the main roads. “But we have a lot of work to do on the side streets.” He said every city street was plowed at least once during the storm.

“We are going to be at it around the clock,” Mitchell said.

New Bedford Has Over 100 Pieces of Snow Removal Equipment Out There

He noted there are over 100 pieces of City-owned equipment out doing the work, from plows to front-end loaders to dump trucks. He said that was augmented by 20 additional contractor pieces, front-end loaders and backhoes, as well as 14 tri-axle dump trucks and 10 smaller pieces such as Bobcats.

“It’s all out there, and we’re getting more as we speak,” he said. “That is continuing to be an enlarging effort.” Mitchell has already requested assistance from the Massachusetts Army National Guard and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, and said four state contractor pieces of equipment were either already out on city streets or would be there shortly.

Where Will All the Snow Go in New Bedford?

Mitchell said as the plowing then becomes an excavation effort to remove the snow, it will be hauled to locations such as the former Aerovox site in the North End, beach parking lots in the South End, and the former Eversource site along the waterfront.

Parking Ban Enforcement and Towing Numbers

The snow parking ban remains in effect, and Mitchell said that 810 tickets were issued and 252 cars were towed. That’s down significantly from the 2,054 citations issued and 466 vehicles towed during the January 26-27 snowstorm. Mitchell called it some of the best compliance to the parking ban that he has seen.

“The reality was, the streets were very clear, and that is going to help out,” he said.

Power Outages and Eversource Response

Mitchell also said that at the height of the blizzard, there were only about 5,000 Eversource customers without power, and this morning that number had been reduced to roughly 3,400 customers. He said Eversource has crews in the city working to get everyone restored, and noted that police headquarters did lose power at one point and had to switch to generator power, but was back online now.

School Closures and Trash Collection Delays

The mayor also said there will be no schools in New Bedford on Wednesday, and that residential trash collection would be delayed another day, meaning it is now on a three-day delay.