Fall River declares emergency and bans parking, nonessential driving ahead of 18–24 inch storm

Mayor Coogan declared a state of emergency for Fall River on Sunday as the city prepared for a forecast 18 to 24 inches of heavy, wet snow and urged residents to prepare to remain at home.

"The forecast right now is 18 to 24 inches of heavy, wet snow," Mayor Coogan said, and announced a citywide parking ban beginning at 01:00 and a driving ban for nonessential travel from midnight through 12:00 Monday to allow emergency and plowing operations to proceed.

The declaration comes with immediate operational changes: Fall River Government Center and city schools will be closed tomorrow, trash collection will be delayed by one day, and police will begin tagging and towing vehicles that violate the parking ban. "The Fall River Police Department will be actively tagging and towing effective 1PM today," Chief Kelly Furtado said, adding that motorists stopped during the driving ban must prove they are essential workers.

Why it matters: the city said the combination of heavy, wet snow and parked vehicles could block plows and emergency apparatus, jeopardizing response times for fires, medical calls and other urgent needs. District Chief Matt Johnson said the fire department has increased staffing and added two trucks to support operations, and urged residents to clear hydrants and avoid parking near corners so apparatus can navigate.

Services and shelter: officials said the city will open a temporary shelter at Cuss Middle School (52 Globe Mills Avenue) in the event of a significant power outage and urged residents to bring essential medications and supplies. EMA Director Rick Agiar said cots and a trailer are staged to facilitate shelter operations. EMS Chief Beth Fawn described transportation support for medical personnel, saying EMS will pick up nursing staff and physicians who need rides and that two extra ambulances are on duty.

Local operations: the Department of Capital Management (DCM) reported roads have been pretreated and sector leaders and crews will be deployed during and after the storm. The mayor listed alternative parking locations including the Flint Municipal lot on Cache Street, Morton Middle School’s lot on Hood Street, Maplewood Park lot, the DCR lot behind the Lafayette pool, the former Durfee High School auditorium on Ray Street and Talbot Middle School; anyone parking at a school must vacate by 05:00 the night before school resumes.

Enforcement and contacts: city officials provided phone numbers for residents with concerns: the mayor's office at (508) 324-2600, the traffic department at (508) 324-2577 or (508) 207-2584, DPW at (508) 324-2762 and EMS at (508) 965-3675 for medical-transport needs. Chief Furtado said dispatch at (508) 676-8511 can tell residents where to retrieve towed vehicles.

On equipment: in response to a question about plow capacity, officials said the city has "about 81" plow pieces available and had picked up "an additional 10 or so" to respond to the storm.

Officials closed by urging residents to do errands now, park where allowed and check on elderly neighbors and those who may need assistance. The emergency order and travel restrictions remain in effect through 12:00 Monday unless rescinded by the city.