Seacoast blizzard shutdowns, parking bans, more: Storm news from your communities
Communities around the Seacoast are announcing closures and shutdowns as the National Weather Service has issued a blizzard warning at the New Hampshire coastline from 7 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 29 to 6 a.m., Sunday, Jan 30.
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Because of wind gusts, power outages and tree damage is possible. If you lose power, report the outage to Eversource at 1-800-662-7764. If you see downed power lines, stay away and call 911.
Here's a roundup of community news below. (Send your news to news@seacoastonline.com.)
Stay connected: Download the Seacoastonline, Foster's apps ahead of the storm
Seacoast bus service, COVID-19 vaccination sites shut down
COAST bus has cancelled all service for Saturday, Jan. 29.
All state-run COVID-19 testing and vaccination sites will be closed on Saturday, Jan. 29 due to the impending blizzard. This includes the Newington testing site at the Fox Run Mall, and the vaccination sites in Stratham and Rochester. All sites are expected to resume normal operations on Sunday, Jan. 30.
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Dover parking ban
A citywide parking ban will be in effect on Saturday, beginning at 8 p.m. and concluding Sunday, Jan. 30 at 10 a.m. The ban will be in effect downtown beginning at 10 p.m. Saturday and conclude Sunday at 10 a.m.
Due to forecast for heavy snow on Saturday, the extended parking ban is necessary to facilitate snow removal operations. In addition to snow removal, the parking ban allows Community Services crews to treat the roads with salt and sand, and keep areas open for safe travel.
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Due to significant snowfall expected, and to help maintain the safety of snow removal crews and emergency vehicles, vehicles in violation of the parking ban will be fined and/or towed at the owner's expense.
For more information, visit the city's parking ban page at dover.nh.gov/government/city-operations/police/parking-bureau/parking-bans
Durham
The Durham transfer station is closing at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 29.
Exeter
The town of Exeter has instituted an emergency parking ban from 6 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 29 to 8 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 30. Vehicles parked on or alongside town streets during this period will be towed at the owner’s expense. The emergency ban will be re-evaluated to make changes as necessary. In addition, the town transfer station located on Cross Road will be closed Saturday, Jan. 29.
Hampton
An emergency parking ban has been posted. In conjunction with the winter parking ban, there will be no on-street parking or parking in any public way between the hours of 1 a.m. (Saturday, Jan. 29) and 3 p.m. (Sunday, Jan. 30). Please be mindful of sanding and snow removal operations for your safety and the safety of the city's drivers.
High Tides: With tides being effected by the storm, it is projected that there is potential for flooding. In addition, there are high tides expected greater than 10 feet starting Monday, Jan. 31 through Wednesday, Feb. 3. Please take the necessary precautions to move your vehicles, tie down trash and recycling containers and be aware that there may be areas of flooding.
The transfer station will be closed Saturday, Jan. 29. Based on the length of storm and DPW operations, additional closures may be necessary.
Portsmouth closures, parking news
All city facilities will be closed Saturday, Jan. 29 including all Recreation Department facilities including the Senior Activity Center, the Portsmouth Public Library and the Recycling Center.
All city services plus emergency providers ask residents to be extremely careful in the storm and to be patient as the cleanup continues after the storm.
The special snow parking rate for residents will go into effect at 6 p.m., Friday, Jan. 28. Residents pay a flat fee $3 at Foundry Place and $5 at the Hanover garage. For more information on parking ban logistics and available City lots for the public, please click here.
Snow parking ban is expected to go into effect at 1 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 29.
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The city's Snow Phone Hotline is (603).766-7669.
Call the Department of Public Works at 427-1530 or report a snow clearing issue using the Click ‘n Fix system.
University of New Hampshire
UNH in Durham will curtail operations from noon Saturday, Jan. 29 to noon Sunday, Jan. 30. Updates and information at unh.edu/storm.
Somersworth parking ban, closures
The city of Somersworth has declared an emergency city wide parking ban, including the downtown area. No on-street parking will be allowed beginning at 1 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 29, and ending at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 30.
All vehicles parked on city streets will be ticketed and towed when the ban is in effect.
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The city’s Snow Emergency Hotline is (603) 692-9131 for information and updates on parking bans.
If you have any questions or concerns, contact the Somersworth Police Department at (603) 692-3131.
The Somersworth Public Library will be closed on Saturday, Jan. 29 due to the storm.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Here are Seacoast NH, Maine blizzard shutdowns, parking bans, more
