Monday, May 19, 2008

Blizzard Report, from Somerville MA

Blizzard, Beacon St, Somerville MA

As you may have heard, we've had a little snow here in the Northeast. We were out of town in the days before it was expected to hit, and hurried to make it back before the travel ban went into effect. Yes: a motor vehicle travel ban for all of Massachusetts was declared, with violations punishable with a year of jail time. Still, here in Greater Boston many doubted the seriousness of the blizzard to come. We've been fooled before with promises of sensational snowstorms, only to receive a measly couple of inches.




Blizzard Front Door, Saturday AM

This time however, the universe followed through. Over 2 feet of snow had piled up outside our front door by morning, and that was after the stairs had been shoveled the night before.




Blizzard Front Door, Saturday AM

Beyond the front door I could see an awkward heap of snow, which I realised was the neighbours' car.




Blizzard, Beacon St, Somerville MA

Our street looked like this, after the plows had gone through it.




Blizzard, Beacon St, Somerville MA

The normally busy main road looked like this.




Blizzard, Beacon St, Somerville MA

And this. (Notice anything missing?)




Blizzard, Beacon St, Somerville MA

At around 9:30am I saw a procession of plows making their way down the road.




Blizzard, Beacon St, Somerville MA

But it continued to snow until mid-morning, quickly covering any progress the plows made with another dusting.




Blizzard, Union Sq, Somerville MA

I encountered surreal scenes, such as this one. Any car that had been left out on the street had now turned into a giant snowbank.




Blizzard, Union Sq, Somerville MA

Once the snow stopped falling, vehicle excavations began.




Blizzard, Union Sq, Somerville MA

They would continue zealously until sunset.




Blizzard, Union Sq, Somerville MA

Clearing sidewalks was tricky, considering how much snow had fallen. Some dug trenches, which had to be navigated single file - the snow nearly waist-high.




Blizzard, Union Sq, Somerville MA

But for the most part the sidewalks had not been cleared and pedestrians took to the roads.




Blizzard, Union Sq, Somerville MA

Mostly on foot, by sometimes on sleds, snowshoes, and skis.




Blizzard, Union Sq, Somerville MA

I was a little envious of the snowshoes I have to admit; I would love to try them.




Blizzard, Union Sq, Somerville MA

In the first half of the day, I did not see any bikes being ridden. The road surface was too uneven and soft for most cyclists and bicycles, myself included.




Blizzard, Beacon St, Somerville MA

At least in the first half of the day, the driving ban was enforced. A police SUV slowly circulated the neighbourhood shouting threats over the loudspeaker at anyone who attempted to drive, other than snow plow operators and city workers.




Blizzard, Union Sq, Somerville MA


Pedestrian movement was not impeded, and soon people took over the roads.




Blizzard, Union Sq, Somerville MA


At some point, word came that a party was being held in nearby Union Square.




Union Square Snow Day, Somerville MA



Pretty soon, it seemed like the entire neihgbourhood headed that way (except those still digging out their cars!).




Union Square Snow Day, Somerville MA

There was music blaring and people dancing. Despite the potentially serious nature of a blizzard of this magnitude, the atmosphere in the entire neighbourhood was downright festive. Those out on the streets were saying hello to one another, and smiling ear to ear.




Union Square Snow Day, Somerville MA

Kids, adults, everyone looked happy to be outdoors, enjoying themselves.




Union Square Snow Day, Somerville MA

Some wore costumes.




Union Square Snow Day, Somerville MA

Others came ready to fight.




Union Square Snow Day, Somerville MA
Which they did, to the sounds of dance music, with the Somerville Gateway mural as proud backdrop.




Blizzard, Union Sq, Somerville MA

As the afternoon waned and the snowplows laboured tirelessly, I began to see a few bikes here and there.




Union Square Snow Day, Somerville MA

But still mostly sleds.




Blizzard, Union Sq, Somerville MA

Andtoboggans.




Blizzard, Union Sq, Somerville MA

And skis.




Blizzard, Union Sq, Somerville MA

And various snowboard-like contraptions.




Blizzard, Union Sq, Somerville MA

I did a lot of walking throughout the day. Many layers were donned to deal with the cold, but nothing out of the ordinary.




Blizzard, Union Sq, Somerville MA

Others got creative with plastic bags, various DIY overshoes and blanket-capes.




Union Square Snow Day, Somerville MA

To see our entire neighbourhood so active and energetic at a time when it was expected to be immobilised was quite something. By mid-afternoon a few local businesses opened their doors to meet the foot-traffic demand for coffee, alcohol and groceries. All of these places were packed.




Blizzard, Union Sq, Somerville MA

It seems that Somerville, MA has weathered the storm well, and there have been no disasters. In the meantime, the snow plows are still at it. Excavations of vehicles continue. And although the motor vehicle ban is now lifted, along the largely unplowed side streets snowshoes continue to rule the roads.


More pictures here - enjoy the rest of the weekend!

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