By KENNEDY GRIFFIN

(Franklin County, MA) Update January 26th, 2023 8:00 p.m. Mountain Road in Erving was reopened this afternoon and North Street has been cleared of debris but remains open to local traffic only as the town of Northfield continues work on downed trees on Gulf Road.

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Update January 26th, 2023 12:45 p.m. Northfield Fire department announced that Warwick Road is open to Northfield homes, but will not have access to Warwick for another 24 to 48 hours. Gulf Road will be closed for the next two days as at least 30 trees are down, residents may access their homes by way of South Mountain Road.

In Erving, a primary power line was damaged by downed trees on Mountain Road. National Grid and the Town of Erving are in communication about the issue and working to resolve it. Mountain Road is currently only open for local traffic and repair crews. North Street is also only open to local traffic as more trees have fallen.

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A second storm swept through the area Wednesday, weighing down trees that were already compromised. As a result more trees have fallen causing road closings and power outages throughout the county.

In Northfield, South Mountain, Gulf, and Warwick Roads are closed again. In Erving, North Street is closed. Eversource and National Grid crews are on scene working to restore power in multiple areas, with hundreds of residents currently without power.

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The cleanup hasn’t ended yet from Monday’s storm and a new storm is in the forecast for today.

In Erving, there are still trees and power lines down on North Street near the Northfield town line, the street only open for local traffic. National Grid is scheduled to work on this area this morning and is in communication with the Town of Erving. In Warwick, Winchester Road Route 78 to Flower Hill is closed along with Northfield Road, White Road, and Old Winchester Road.

Today’s snow may bring down additional trees and power lines. MassDOT reminds drivers to be cautious driving during storms, plan ahead, and allow extra time.

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Monday’s snow storm delivered wet and heavy snow that brought trees and wires down throughout the area, resulting in power outages and road closures. Public safety crews along with public works departments have been working to clear roadways and that work is expected to last through Tuesday.

A vehicle versus utility pole accident occurred on Webber Road in Whately Monday afternoon, resulting in power outages to West Whately. No injuries were incurred. Eversource was on scene restoring power Monday evening.

As of 8 p.m. Monday evening, Shepardson and White roads in Warwick were closed along with Northfield Road at the Wendell Road intersection.

In Northfield, Gulf Road, South Mountain Road, and Warwick Road were closed yesterday evening.

Hundreds of Franklin County residents are still without power as trees are cleared and power lines repaired. Avoid downed power lines and check fallen trees for possible wires before approaching them. 

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The cities of Greenfield and Montague have issued parking bans ahead of the coming storm.

Greenfield’s Emergency Winter Parking Ban prohibited parking on both sides of all streets from 11 p.m. on Sunday, January 22nd and lasts through 7 a.m. on Tuesday, January 24th. Overnight parking is allowed in designated areas of the Chapman and Davis Street lot. And during snow emergencies, the first three floors of the Olive Street Garage are free to park in overnight to allow the DPW to clear lots.

The Montague DPW has declared a snow emergency. Parking is prohibited on Turners Falls street from 11 p.m. Sunday, January 22nd through 6 a.m. on Monday January 23rd.  Outside of the downtown Turners Falls area, the winter parking ban remains in effect as well.