Gloucester’s Chief Administrative Officer: “Shelter in Place” – Storm Causes Significant Damage Throughout City – High School Parking Lot Underwater; Numerous Cars Damaged; Homes Flooded; Sporadic Power Outages

GLOUCESTER – (Radio interview) As of 4:45 p.m., the city of Gloucester has had significant flood damage due to the storm surge associated with the Thursday blizzard, More than a foot of snow has been dumped on the city, with high winds and higher wind gusts, but the major damage is due to the flooding. The Blynman Canal overflowed during the noon high tide, burying dozens of cars parked at Gloucester High School. One eyewitness described Newell Stadium as being under 3 to 4 feet of sea water.

In the radio interview below, Gloucester’s Chief Administrative Officer, Jim Destino, updates the storm situation.

SCHOOL CLOSINGS – Many city and towns are closed for Friday – WCVB Closings

GLOUCESTER: CURBSIDE APPLIANCE COLLECTION HAS BEEN POSTPONED.

Due to the impending snow storm, the curbside appliance collection that was scheduled for tomorrow, January 4, has been postponed until next Thursday, January 11, 2018. Please do not put your appliances/tvs on the curb, it will only hinder plowing effort

Warming Shelters & Snow Emergency Planning

Please note the following social services in the City will be open this weekend during the storm and frigid cold.

Thursday: Action Inc. will be open all day and night
Friday: Grace Center of Gloucester (and Action/Hotels at night)
Saturday: Action Inc will be open all day and night
Sunday: Grace Center @ The Open Door* (and Action/Hotels at night)

In the event that you lose power or heat over the weekend, the City encourages residents to shelter in place, or with a family/neighbor who has heat, and contact the Gloucester Police Dept. if you are concerned or are unable to stay warm or safe. The police can assist you in finding a place to go with power and will be working with American Red Cross of Massachusetts to assist residents in need.