Snow Piling Up In Danvers; Clear Out Those Hydrants

DANVERS, MA — Just when you thought 2020 might let you out, many of you got snowed in.

With more than 12 inches of snow possible across the North Shore overnight Wednesday into Thursday, here are some things to know about how the snow might affect you.

Danvers fire is asking residents to help them react to an emergency through clearing out fire hydrants near you. A map of fire hydrants in the town can be found here.

Danvers postponed resident drive-thru coronavirus testing for Thursday to Friday at Danvers High School.

While the storm was enough to keep kids home from school, it will not keep them off the computer with Superintendent of Schools Lisa Dana saying plans are to make "snow days" remote learning days amid the coronavirus health crisis in winter 2020-21.

Danvers Public Schools switched to remote learning for all students through at least Jan. 8 as of Thursday. Danvers also suspended winter sports practices until at least Jan. 6.

The district announced Wednesday afternoon that all buildings are closed Thursday due to the snow and no lunch will be provided.

Danvers Public Works announced Wednesday morning a snow emergency parking ban was declared for 1 a.m. Thursday. Trash collection was canceled on Thursday and will be delayed one day for the rest of the week.

Snow started falling across Massachusetts between 7 and 11 p.m. Wednesday, and by the time it ends midday Thursday, most parts of the state will have been blanketed with 8 to 14 inches, according to the latest forecast from the National Weather Service in Boston.

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Snow will be light and fluffy in most parts of the state, but it could be heavier and wetter in southeastern Massachusetts and on Cape Cod.

Cleanup from the storm on most of Massachusetts roads could take longer than usual, MassDOT Secretary Stephanie Pollack said Wednesday. While the state is deploying almost all of its nearly 3,000 pieces of snow-removal equipment, the high rate of snowfall per hour in the forecast and the coronavirus pandemic could mean it will take longer than usual to clear roadways.

Pollack said many local towns that work with MassDOT to clear roadways have worker restrictions related to the pandemic that could cause delays.

The snow will stop between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Thursday as the storm moves from west to east across Massachusetts.

Check back with Patch throughout Wednesday and Thursday for city and storm updates.