NEWBURYPORT — Police say they had a quiet storm despite over 20 inches of snow hitting the area Sunday into Monday.
“We had just a few calls for neighbor disputes, that type of stuff. DPS did a great job keeping the streets clear,” Lt. Greg Whitney said, referring to the Department of Public Services.
Mayor Sean Reardon similarly had praise for DPS.
“DPS has really been doing an incredible job under tough conditions,” Reardon said.
He said that as of Monday the parking ban was still in effect.
“I urge everyone to please be patient, stay off the roads, be safe, look after your neighbors. A reminder to not throw snow into the street and make sure you clear out those fire hydrants. It could take another day for the DPS to catch up,” Reardon said.
Newburyport had 22 inches of snow as of 8:30 a.m. Monday morning, according to the National Weather Service.
While the bulk of the first major storm to hit the region in several years took place Sunday, the National Weather Service projected 1 to 3 more inches to fall throughout Monday.
In preparation for the incoming storm and the dangerously cold temperatures, The Salvation Army announced Friday morning its emergency overnight shelter would be open Friday and Saturday night from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., and would be open 24 hours on Sunday and Monday.
The emergency overnight shelter, located at its headquarters at 40 Water St., is open to people from Greater Newburyport, including Newburyport, Amesbury, Salisbury, Newbury, West Newbury, Rowley and Byfield.
It had issued a winter advisory for Sunday morning through Monday evening.
“Persons should delay all travel if possible,” the alert stated.
The snow that hit the area is part of a much larger storm system that pummeled states from Texas to the East Coast.
These conditions resulted in multiple weather advisories and travel delays nationwide.
Last Wednesday, auto club AAA urged drivers to take proactive steps to stay safe on winter roads.
“Winter driving hazards such as slick ice, snow-packed roads, and reduced traction make braking and steering treacherous,” Megan Cooper, spokeswoman for AAA, said in a statement.
AAA’s winter vehicle maintenance checklist includes: Checking tire pressure weekly and consider winter tires, testing battery regularly as cold weather reduces power, using winter-grade washer fluid, checking antifreeze, changing oil for winter viscosity, replacing wiper blades, ensuring heater works, inspecting brakes, and cleaning and checking all lights.
If your vehicle becomes disabled in winter weather, staying calm and taking the following steps can save your life, according to the AAA statement: staying inside your vehicle for shelter unless it is unsafe to do so, turning on hazard lights to increase visibility, calling for help and sharing your GPS location, running the engine sparingly (about 10 minutes per hour) and cracking a window for ventilation, layering clothing, staying hydrated and conserving your phone battery.
“If your car stalls in traffic, act fast: turn on hazard lights, set the emergency brake, stay inside with doors locked, and call for roadside assistance immediately,” Cooper said. “If remaining in your vehicle puts you at risk, such as on a blind curve or in heavy traffic, exit carefully, move to a safe location away from the roadway, and call for assistance immediately.”
Matt Petry covers Amesbury and Salisbury for The Daily News of Newburyport. Email him at: mpetry@northofboston.com.