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Massive Blizzard Could Leave Thousands Without Power, GOP Without Mass. Senate Candidate

Feb. 8, 2013 6:40pm
Massive Blizzard Could Leave Thousands Without Power, Republicans Without Mass. Senate Candidate

BOSTON, MA – FEBRUARY 08: Credit: Getty Images

BOSTON (TheBlaze/AP) — A storm that forecasters warned could be a blizzard for the history books began clobbering the New York-to-Boston corridor Friday, grounding flights, closing workplaces and sending people rushing to get home ahead of a possible 1 to 3 feet of snow.

From New Jersey to Maine, shoppers crowded into supermarkets and hardware stores to buy food, snow shovels, flashlights as well as generators – something that became a precious commodity after Superstorm Sandy in October. Others gassed up their cars, another lesson learned all too well after Sandy. Across much of New England, schools closed well ahead of the first snowflakes.

“This is a storm of major proportions. Stay off the roads. Stay home,” said Boston Mayor Thomas Menino.

The snowstorm mercifully arrived at the start of a weekend, which means fewer cars on the road and extra time for sanitation crews to clear the mess before commuters in the New York-to-Boston corridor of roughly 25 million people have to go back to work. But it could also mean a weekend cooped up indoors.

But it’s not just the snow that has people concerned. Republicans are afraid that the blizzard could prevent Rep. Dan Winslow and other GOP candidates from qualifying on the ballot in the special election to replace new Secretary of State John Kerry in the U.S. Senate.

From the National Journal:

Candidates for the special election must submit 10,000 certified signatures by Feb. 27 to qualify for the April 30 primary. With Democratic Gov. Deval Patrick (D) declaring a state of emergency Friday afternoon and banning cars from driving on the roads, Senate contenders are forced to put a hold on signature collecting until the storm passes.

“I think any day lost is obviously going to be a huge impediment,” Massachusetts GOP strategist Meredith Warren said. “I would assume that this would’ve been a huge weekend for someone like Dan Winslow to be out getting signatures but…everyone’s hunkered down.”

Meanwhile, Americans are preparing for the worst.

Rainy Neves, a mother of two in Cambridge, Mass., did some last-minute shopping at a grocery store, filing her cart to the brim.

“Honestly, a lot of junk – a lot of quick things you can make just in case lights go out, a lot of snacks to keep the kids busy while they’d be inside during the storm, things to sip with my friends, things for movies,” she said. “Just a whole bunch of things to keep us entertained.”

In heavily Catholic Boston, the Archdiocese urged parishioners to be prudent about attending Sunday Mass and reminded them that, under church law, the obligation “does not apply when there is grave difficulty in fulfilling this obligation.”

Halfway through what had been a mild winter across the Northeast, blizzard warnings were posted from parts of New Jersey to Maine. The National Weather Service said Boston could get close to 3 feet of snow by Saturday evening, while most of Rhode Island could receive more than 2 feet. Connecticut was bracing for 2 feet, and New York City was expecting as much as 14 inches.

Massive Blizzard Could Leave Thousands Without Power, Republicans Without Mass. Senate Candidate

BOSTON, MA – FEBRUARY 08: Jeannine Strampel walks through the snow past a statue of Alexander Hamilton along Commonwealth Avenue Mall on February 8, 2013 in Boston, Massachusetts. Massachusetts and other states from New York to Maine are preparing for a major blizzard with possible record amounts of snowfall in some areas. Credit: Getty Images

By Friday evening, the New York-to-Boston corridor was getting swirling snow and freezing rain. Early snowfall was blamed for a 19-car pileup in Cumberland, Maine, that caused minor injuries.

The snow was expected to be at its heaviest Friday night and into Saturday. Forecasters said wind gusts up to 75 mph could cause widespread power outages and whip the snow into fearsome drifts. Flooding was expected along coastal areas still recovering from Superstorm Sandy.

Meteorologist Jeff Masters of Weather Underground said the storm was actually a collision of two storms, and may end up among the Boston area’s Top 5 most intense ever.

“When you add two respectable storms together, you’re going to get a knockout punch with this one,” he said.

It could break Boston’s all-time snowstorm record of 27.6 inches, set in 2003, forecasters said. The storm also comes almost 35 years to the day after the Blizzard of ’78, a ferocious storm that dropped 27 inches of snow, packed hurricane-force winds and claimed dozens of lives.

Masters said the region could get a break from warmer air trailing behind that is expected to push temperature up to the 40s by Monday. “It’s going to be not that difficult to dig out, compared to maybe some other nor’easters in the past, where it stayed cold after the storm went through,” he said.

Drivers were urged to stay off the streets lest their cars get stuck, preventing snowplows and emergency vehicles from getting through. New York City ran extra commuter trains in the afternoon to help people get home before the brunt of the storm hit.

Amtrak stopped running trains in cities around the Northeast on Friday afternoon. Airlines canceled more than 4,200 flights through Saturday, and New York City’s three major airports and Boston’s Logan Airport began shutting down in the afternoon.

Interstate 95 in Rhode Island was closed to all but essential traffic. In Massachusetts, Gov. Deval Patrick enacted a statewide driving ban for the first time since the Blizzard of ’78. Hours before the ban went into effect at 4 p.m., long lines formed at gas stations, some of which were almost out of fuel.

James Stone said he was saving the remaining regular gas at his station in Abington, Mass., south of Boston, for snowplow drivers.

“It hasn’t snowed like this in two years,” Stone said. “Most people are caught way off-guard.”

In New York, Fashion Week – a series of designer showings, with some activities held under tents – went on mostly as scheduled, though organizers put on additional crews to deal with the snow and ice, turned up the heat and fortified the tents. The snow did require some wardrobe changes. Designer Michael Kors was forced to arrive at the Project Runway show on Friday in Uggs.

For Joe DeMartino of Fairfield, Conn., being overprepared was impossible: His wife was expecting their first baby Sunday. He stocked up on gas and food, got firewood ready and was installing a baby seat in the car. The couple also packed for the hospital.

“They say that things should clear up by Sunday. We’re hoping that they’re right,” he said.

Said his wife, Michelle: “It adds an element of excitement.”

The snow was too much of a good thing in some places. In New Hampshire, the University of Connecticut’s Skiing Carnival was canceled because of the snowstorm. In Maine, the National Toboggan Championships in Camden were postponed from Saturday to Sunday, and the Camp Sunshine Polar Plunge was put off until March.

At Rosie’s Liquors in Abington, Mass., customers were lined up eight to 10 deep Friday, snapping up rum, wine and 30-packs of beer.

“We’ve been absolutely slammed. It’s almost been like Christmas here,” manager Kristen Brown said. “A lot of people are saying, ‘I’m going to be stuck with my family all weekend. I need something to do.’”

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Comments (61)

  • ALL-IN
    Posted on February 10, 2013 at 4:53am

    You MONK lovers are a sad bunch. He may light your world, but I see this self centered pied piper in a very dim light.
    He throws out a hoop and you fools race to see who can jump through it first.
    He has won you with words. You are his useful idiots.

    Report this comment

    ALL-IN  
  • HigherRoad
    Posted on February 9, 2013 at 9:40am

    It was reported that this storm has been named “NEMO.” NEMO spelled backward is………………

    Report this comment

    HigherRoad  
  • Grand design
    Posted on February 9, 2013 at 1:32am

    Save your money, it’s a Communist leaning state!

    Report this comment

    Grand design  
  • Capitolalb
    Posted on February 9, 2013 at 1:24am

    GOD doesn’t like the GOP, he gave us 8 years of President Obama, lol.

    Report this comment

    Capitolalb  
  • LeadNotFollow
    Posted on February 8, 2013 at 10:47pm

    Guess Obama is on his way to his multimillion dollar home he just purchased in beautiful warm Hawaii.

    Report this comment

    LeadNotFollow  
  • LeadNotFollow
    Posted on February 8, 2013 at 10:42pm

    God is not happy with America’s President.

    Report this comment

    LeadNotFollow  
  • media-bias-steals-elections
    Posted on February 8, 2013 at 10:07pm

    The day after the storm, when nothing is going on, the family is home, the kids some of the greatest moments of their lives that they will cherish forever, living in the snow jungle for a little while, then cuddling up with the family after they are exhausted and numb from sweat?

    Enjoy it while it lasts? The rest of us will be force fed every tragedy the media can get their hands on, which is one of the reasons I won’t buy cable tv or dish network?

    Report this comment

    media-bias-steals-elections  
  • jarhead69
    Posted on February 8, 2013 at 9:23pm

    Good for them, they all voted for Obama anyways, this is just Gods way for payback

    Report this comment

    jarhead69  
    • Sarah_Palin_Is_God
      Posted on February 8, 2013 at 10:00pm

      Your people will suffer the same repression form God in the form of droughts, floods, tornados and hurricanes. Can’t wait for the suffering to begin just to silence thugs like you.

      Report this comment

      Sarah_Palin_Is_God  
  • Robert999
    Posted on February 8, 2013 at 7:55pm

    Why are only Republican candidates for the senate having trouble collecting signatures? Is there some kind of conspiracy that lets Democrats get signatures but Republicans are having trouble. Can anyone explain?

    Report this comment

    Robert999  
    • KeystoneState
      Posted on February 8, 2013 at 8:41pm

      Oh my Gosh, the New England States in the “NORTHEAST” are expecting snow! Run for the hills people! This has never happened before! Only Obama can save you! So don’t do anything but wait for him to make the snow go away and give you a check, it will be fantastic!

      Report this comment

      KeystoneState  
  • AmericanStrega
    Posted on February 8, 2013 at 7:39pm

    For the love of Mike, it’s a little snow. These people sleigh me. (get it) Baa,ha,ha….Dumb azzzezz

    Report this comment

    AmericanStrega  
    • The_Almighty_Creestof
      Posted on February 8, 2013 at 7:48pm

      After Katrina, Sandy…I’m waiting for the first videos to come out with nitwits screaming “Where’s FEMA! Where’s the Gubmint! We’s Starvin’! We’s gonna die!”

      17 firearms
      20,000 rounds of ammo
      2 years worth of freeze dried/dehydrated food & can goods
      1.5 years worth of water
      2 cords of wood

      Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

      Report this comment

      The_Almighty_Creestof  
  • MASSACHUSETTS MILITIA
    Posted on February 8, 2013 at 7:37pm

    What will be their next reason to lock the state down? Any excuse will suffice I’m sure.

    Report this comment

    MASSACHUSETTS MILITIA  
  • FIREANDBRIMSTONE
    Posted on February 8, 2013 at 7:36pm

    Its Obamas fault according to the right wing nuts.

    Report this comment

    FIREANDBRIMSTONE  
  • MassManny
    Posted on February 8, 2013 at 7:35pm

    Re: DAN WINSLOW, candidate for US Senate: Conservatives in Mass. do NOT want Dan Winslow to be the Republican candidate. He is a RINO. As Gov. Romney’s Chief Legal Counsel during the “gay marriage” disaster (2004), he instructed the Governor that the illegitimate court ruling was “law” which had to be implemented – even though the Mass. Constitution makes it clear that only the Legislature may make law, and the Court had no authority over marriage law. (The marriage statute in Mass. has never been changed; it still says “man/woman, husband/wife”. The Court never told the Gov’s office it had to do anything!) Winslow instructed Town Clerks & Justices of the Peace to marry same-sex couples or be fired/fined. He came up with the “Party A/Party B” designation (in place of husband/wife). He was thanked by the Mass. Gay & Lesbian Political Caucus for his support of “gay marriage” and they endorsed him when he ran for State Rep in 2010. As State Rep, he was the ONLY Republican to vote for the “Transgender Rights and Hate Crimes” bill. He is pro-abortion.
    Winslow is not a real Republican.

    Report this comment

    MassManny  
  • MASSACHUSETTS MILITIA
    Posted on February 8, 2013 at 7:23pm

    Martial Law in Mass. Anyone driving on public roads could be subject one year in jail.
    Look it up. I dont post links. Do your own research.
    4th Amendment has been violated.

    Report this comment

    MASSACHUSETTS MILITIA  
  • woodyee
    Posted on February 8, 2013 at 7:08pm

    ATTN – NYC NY’ERS —————-URGENT MESSAGE————————-

    If Nanny Bloomberg hasn’t already told you what to do, here’s what you need to know:

    Avoid going outside to see what it’s like. That’s what news reporters are for. Stick to your television.

    If you need to go outside, protect yourself by wearing snow boots (the thick & heavy shoes in the closet), gloves (the things that go over your hands NOT from the kitchen), a coat, hat and earmuffs (okay, a hoodie).

    Tie a string to the front doorknob before you close it as you’re leaving, and remember that it should be long enough to reach where you’re going, so you can follow it back without getting lost. NYC Leftist’s – leave your ‘children’ behind, and if you’ve got any kids, well, it’s NY.

    Don’t stay out any longer than you have to, and make sure to keep handy numbers written on the palm of your hands, so that, should you find yourself in trouble, you can use your ‘Bama-phone’! (keep Obama in President, you know?)

    Report this comment

    woodyee  
  • The-Monk
    Posted on February 8, 2013 at 7:05pm

    Back in Dec 1989 I was visiting a friend in Winter Haven, Fl. When we left the used bookstore we had just spent 2 hours in it was snowing. We got a whole 1/4 inch of snow and people were freaking out.

    I couldn’t help but just laugh quietly to myself…..

    Report this comment

    The-Monk  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on February 8, 2013 at 7:09pm

      BTW, the used book I found there and purchased was really great. I lost it somehow and can’t find another copy. If anyone here has a copy and wants to sell it please let me know.

      “Light Of The World” by Grace Noll Crowell

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grace_Noll_Crowell

      Report this comment

      The-Monk  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on February 8, 2013 at 7:15pm

      Woo Hoo !!! Found one online !!!

      Report this comment

      The-Monk  
    • CatB
      Posted on February 8, 2013 at 7:18pm

      @MONK

      Says one used $8.00. I was going to look at my rare book source and this came up.

      Report this comment

      CatB  
    • CatB
      Posted on February 8, 2013 at 7:18pm

      This one???

      Forgot to put link in …

      http://www.amazon.com/Light-Years-Grace-Noll-Crowell/dp/B003KCS1BU

      Report this comment

      CatB  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on February 8, 2013 at 7:26pm

      Hi MONK, LOL, back in the winter of ’76 Tampa got a touch of snow. My native Floridian girlfriend went berserk. I had to take pics of the snow that settled in the backyard grapefruit tree. Still drove to work with the Sunbeam’s top down in the morning.

      Report this comment

      RJJinGadsden  
    • Stelex
      Posted on February 8, 2013 at 7:26pm

      Having survived the Bliz of 78, this is nothing for the folks up hear. What ****** me off is I can’t help but notice all news agencies say, Mass and the other New England States. Mass is the ***** of NE states. Ok to be honest we’re all going blue…….but MA was the first and the worst. Looking to relocate to a nice Red state ..

      Report this comment

      Stelex  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on February 8, 2013 at 7:31pm

      Hi CatB,

      Yep, one of best poetry books ever written. She is describing me in those pages.

      I am “The Light Of The World”.

      Report this comment

      The-Monk  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on February 8, 2013 at 7:40pm

      Hi RJJ,

      Did you see my post on the FDA shooting story? Yesterday morning I went outside for a break at 3am and was just standing on the sidewalk out front. The young (early 20′s) security guard came walking around the corner and didn’t see me. I said “Howdy” when he was about 4 feet away. He was so startled he drew his pistol out. I stripped it out of his hand and said, “That’s no way to say hello”.

      Been a long time since I’ve seen such fear in someones face. I thought he was going to wet himself.

      Never bring a gun to a Monk fight. At least not at close quarters. LOL

      Report this comment

      The-Monk  
    • FIREANDBRIMSTONE
      Posted on February 8, 2013 at 7:58pm

      People were freaking out kind of like the right wing Beck disciples freak out whenever Beck preaches his fire and brimstone everyday.

      Report this comment

      FIREANDBRIMSTONE  
    • momrules
      Posted on February 8, 2013 at 8:02pm

      Hello Monk……….I would genuinely love to meet you and just talk for a while.

      Report this comment

      momrules  
    • The_Almighty_Creestof
      Posted on February 8, 2013 at 8:04pm

      I moved to Phoenix in May 1998 and while sitting in the drivethru lane…it started to snow. Everyone in the restaurant was staring out the windows with this huge “WTF!” look on their faces.

      Report this comment

      The_Almighty_Creestof  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on February 8, 2013 at 8:11pm

      @FIREANDBRIMSTONE

      Sup Trollmonger?

      Report this comment

      The-Monk  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on February 8, 2013 at 8:14pm

      Hi Momrules,

      Careful of what you wish for….. LOL

      Report this comment

      The-Monk  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on February 8, 2013 at 9:15pm

      Sorry MONK, I did not see that. As for the asleep at the wheel security guard, you may have taught him a lesson that may save his live life if he remains any length of time in that line of work. But, hopefully he is almost done working his way through school or something. Sounds like he does not need to be there. Was his bullet in his shirt pocket?

      Report this comment

      RJJinGadsden  
  • The-Monk
    Posted on February 8, 2013 at 6:59pm

    The last time I visited Virginia, Jan 1996, it had snowed 6″ the day before. That night it snowed 24″ so we had 30″ of snow. I thought it was great! I took my front wheel rental car out and had a blast.

    For you global warming climate change freaks……

    The next time some weather condition breaks a 100 year old record ask yourselves this…

    What was going on 100 years ago to cause that record? How many SUV’s were there a 100 years ago? Freaks…..

    Report this comment

    The-Monk  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on February 8, 2013 at 7:27pm

      Dang MONK, you are suggesting that our trolls use common sense. LOL, it will never work.

      Report this comment

      RJJinGadsden  
    • CatB
      Posted on February 8, 2013 at 7:29pm

      Yes … walked to a party in 1973 through a blizzard … miles and miles (St. Patricks Day) .. in 1978 was stranded in a mobile home park with a two year old (hubby stuck at work) for 5 days .. until the National Guard could dig us out .. no place to put the snow so they had to bring in a backhoe and dump truck. But I am certain they will make this out to be the first storm ever. And call it “climate change” ;-)

      “Jan. 25, 1978 — Known as “The Blizzard of ’78,” this storm dropped a record 23 inches of snow on Jackson. As on St. Patrick’s Day in 1973, the “Stump Jumpers” a four-wheel club, was called upon to pick up stranded motorists and residents on local highways and roads.”

      http://www.mlive.com/news/jackson/index.ssf/2010/03/peek_through_time_st_patricks.html

      The article even mentions a friend that I graduated with who passed away some years ago .. he was out and helping people who were stranded.

      Report this comment

      CatB  
    • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
      Posted on February 8, 2013 at 8:18pm

      I grew up in the Northern Tier states, ND, Mont, Wyoming….blizards were just a way of life, and when we moved to Missouri, I was amazed we didn’t have massive snow storms.

      Report this comment

      Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
  • Chromo200
    Posted on February 8, 2013 at 6:58pm

    Big deal .. The GOP should save it’s money .. they have no one to field for the position. No difference between the Mass .GOP or the Dem except one. They can’t make a tasteless soup.

    Report this comment

    Chromo200  
  • Magyar
    Posted on February 8, 2013 at 6:57pm

    Oh for godness sakes—- Lived in NH for 20 years and while this will be a signifcant storm, New Englanders know exactly how to prepare— It’s the idiot low landers who are clueless and head out and drive! OMG!

    Report this comment

    Magyar  
  • FISH_BONE
    Posted on February 8, 2013 at 6:55pm

    Why are people on the east coast such a bunch of *******? Every time a flake falls they go into hysteria.

    Report this comment

    FISH_BONE  
    • DEFCON4
      Posted on February 8, 2013 at 7:20pm

      @ Fish, The local ‘news’ create the hysteria for their ratings. 24/7 they interrupt
      network programming with their up-dated ‘re-runs’.

      Report this comment

      DEFCON4  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on February 8, 2013 at 7:30pm

      DEFCON4, You ought to be down here in this part of the south when they so much as think that a tornado might happen!

      Report this comment

      RJJinGadsden  
  • ElDeVerde
    Posted on February 8, 2013 at 6:53pm

    Let the damn yankees freeze to death in the dark!

    Report this comment

    ElDeVerde  
  • ElDeVerde
    Posted on February 8, 2013 at 6:53pm

    Add your comments

    Report this comment

    ElDeVerde  
  • drrgb
    Posted on February 8, 2013 at 6:50pm

    Guess I will have to wait a few day for the global warming stories to start again. Is there a liberal in the North East today that has the nerve to step outside and lecture us on global warming?

    Report this comment

    drrgb  
    • CatB
      Posted on February 8, 2013 at 6:58pm

      ALGORE is usually lurking around somewhere .. but doesn’t come out .. did they plan another global warming conference?

      Report this comment

      CatB  
    • barber2
      Posted on February 8, 2013 at 7:01pm

      Call Al Jazeera Gore….

      Report this comment

      barber2  
    • Capitolalb
      Posted on February 9, 2013 at 1:28am

      Climate change is real, learn about it.

      Report this comment

      Capitolalb  
  • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
    Posted on February 8, 2013 at 6:47pm

    Now I know for a fact, Obama has a weather machine. First Sandy, now this, plus the Hurricane during the Republican convention, and I know he used it for Katrina, to make Bush look bad. It all makes sense now.

    Report this comment

    Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
    • barber2
      Posted on February 8, 2013 at 7:03pm

      No. According to the Obama Administration, they “don’t know anything about anything ,” and besides, ” what difference would that make ?”

      Report this comment

      barber2  
    • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
      Posted on February 8, 2013 at 7:10pm

      Barber2:
      True, but this might stir up the trolls a bit.

      Report this comment

      Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  

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