Blizzard 2013: Holliston-Hopkinton Information Center

Editor's note: Holliston and Hopkinton-centric updates on the blizzard (cancellations, emergency notices) will be posted here.

Sautrday:

1:00 p.m.: MEMA has announced that the driving ban will be lifted at 4 p.m.

11:30 a.m.: The travel ban remains in effect across the state. Several area departments stopped drivers for violating the ban overnight. 

11:00 a.m.: NWS is reporting that Framingham receieved 30 inches of snow so far. Hopkinton and Holliston are expected to have similar amounts. Show us how much snow you have.

Friday:

11:30 p.m.: The latest National Weather Service measurement has Framingham at 14 inches of snow (measured at 10:51). They don't have numbers for Hopkinton or Holliston.

8:00 p.m.: The latest update is that the storm should end around 3 p.m. Sautrday. Be careful on the roads if you need to go out at all tomorrow.

3:00 p.m.: Get your shovels ready, snow is starting to pile up. Plows are out in full force right now.

12:30 p.m.: Governor Patrick "I have signed an executive order banning all vehicle traffic effective at 4 p.m." This means technically if you get caught driving after 4 p.m. you can go to jail. I've heard this is the first time an order like this has been issued since Blizzard of '78.

11:00 a.m.: Need to get out of the house? Call Baypath Humane Society. They're looking for a few extra hands to help with the storm.

10:20 a.m.: Hopkinton Public Library and many downtown businesses in both towns are closing at noon. Make sure you get those last minute books before the snow traps you inside.

10:00 a.m.: Hopkinton Police say they will begin enforcing the winter parking ban downtown "if vehicles are impeding snow removal operations." Holliston PD said they haven't announced a downtown parking ban yet.

9:30 a.m.: As the first flakes start to fall, the latest forecast has the area receiving around 3 feet of snow.

Thursday:

9:30 p.m.: The latest NWS update says residents should expect to receive nearly 2 feet of snow. Probable power outages as well.

9:00 p.m.: Cumberland Farms in in Hopkinton is out of gasoline. All other gas stations that are open in Hopkinton and Holliston have confirmed that they have gas, although many report they are getting low.

8:00 p.m.: Hopkinton Town Hall will be closing at noon on Friday.

7:00 p.m.: Winter parking bans are in effect for Holliston and Hopkinton. Do not park your vehicles on the road tonight or they will be towed. "The Hopkinton Emergency Management Group met and plans are in place to deal with the anticipated effects of this event. With the potential of more than two feet of snow and winds gusting to 60 MPH we ask all residents to take the appropriate steps to ready themselves. Your Public Safety Agencies request your assistance in the following area(s); during the event avoid non essential travel, insure vehicles are secured off the roadways to facilitate snow removal operations, vehicles parked on any public way that impedes snow removal operations may be ticketed and towed," an email from Hopkinton Fire Chief Ken Clark.

6:05 p.m.: The National Weather Service has officially issued a blizzard warning for southeast Middlesex County. That means high winds (more than 30 mph sustained, gusts to 65) and up to 2 feet of snow. The warning is in effect until 1 p.m. Saturday.

5:00 p.m.: Hopkinton trash pickup will begin at 5 a.m. Residents are advised to make sure their trash is out extra early.

4:10 p.m.: Preparation is underway for the storm at the Holliston Highway Department.

3:37 p.m.: Holliston Public Schools will be CLOSED Friday.

2:30 p.m.: Hopkinton has cancelled school for tomorrow.

2:00 p.m.: Holliston trash pickup will be earlier than usual due to the storm. Residents are asked to get their bins to the curb before 6 a.m.

1:30 p.m.: Holliston Public Schools have cancelled the Family Bingo Night and Science Fest.

Noon: The Holliston and Hopkinton Water Departments have both sent out messages alerting residents to make sure fire hydrants are clear. "During the winter hydrants can become buried by snow during a big storm. If you have a fire hydrant that that is near your home, please help us make it visible and accessible to the Fire Department for use in an emergency. Precious seconds can be lost searching for the hydrant or removing snow to gain access to it. Help make your neighborhood safe for everyone!"

Scroll down for important phone numbers, websites and more. Stay with Holliston-Hopkinton Patch as we keep you updated throughout the storm.

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As we ready ourselves for and make our way through the blizzard, please use this story on Holliston-Hopkinton Patch to help out your neighbors. Know of a cancellation because of the weather? Let us know and we'll add it in the text, or you can add it yourself in the comments.

Once the blizzard is underway, report poor road conditions or downed trees/impassable streets, here. We'll do the same. We want to make sure that Holliston and Hopkinton stays connected.

For live updates during the storm, be sure to  'like' Holliston Patch or Hopkinton Patch on Facebook and follow us @HollistonPatch or @HopkintonPatch on Twitter.

Also, sign up for the Holliston-Hopkinton Patch newsletter to get the latest information delivered to your email.

As you send us messages through social media and email (sean.odonnell@patch.com), we’ll make sure the information is added to this story. If you notice hazardous conditions, please alert authorities and then let us know so we can spread the word quickly.

Holliston-Hopkinton Patch is all about connecting neighbors and helping neighbors, so we hope you’ll find this information hub helpful during the storm. Stay safe, Holliston and Hopkinton!

IMPORTANT HOPKINTON NUMBERS & WEBSITES:

• In an emergency, dial 911
• Police Department: 508-497-3401
• Fire Department: 508-497-2325 DPW: 508-497-9740
• NStar power outages: 800-465-1212 
• NStar Outage Map

IMPORTANT HOLLISTON NUMBERS & WEBSITES: 

• In an emergency, dial 911
• Police Department: 508-429-1212
• Fire Department: 508-429-4631
• Highway Department: 508-429-0615
• NStar power outages: 800-465-1212 
• NStar Outage Map