Crime & Safety
Chief: Blizzard Was 'As Good As We Could Expect' [VIDEO]
Cleanup continues after roughly two feet of both snow and seawater created issues along the coast Saturday.
After taking a pounding thanks to two feet of snow, massive waves and 60 mph wind gusts, Hampton and North Hampton seem to be "out of the woods" as crews continue to clear debris and water deposited on many local streets by the blizzard, according to Hampton Police Chief Jamie Sullivan.
The blizzard subsided just after noon Saturday, and Sullivan said local and New Hampshire Department of Transportation crews would continue working through Saturday afternoon and evening to clear out the one or two feet of water covering numerous sections of Hampton and North Hampton as well as the debris that washed into many beach roads.
Crews will then return to action Sunday morning to clear secondary travel areas and parking lots.
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"I think we're generally doing OK," said Sullivan on Saturday. "It's a matter of clearing the water and giving it a good location to recede to... Normally in this weather it'll take a couple of hours to recede, but the snowbanks are acting as a wall. It doesn't have it's normal multiple areas to recede into the marsh, so it's trying to find the path of least resistance.
"Some of it takes time."
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Ocean Boulevard was closed in 11 spots until about 5 p.m. Saturday, including a strech from Boar's Head Terrace in Hampton to Ordiorne Point in Rye. Large waves around the 10 a.m. Saturday high tide washed away sections of sea wall in North Hampton and Rye. Some flooding issues on side streets was also reported.
No property damage or home-related emergencies were reported in Hampton or North Hampton. Sullivan said the snowbanks were beneficial in preventing property damage, as they helped keep water out of homes along Ocean Boulevard and in low-lying areas.
There were few local accidents reported locally during the bulk of the 20-hour blizzard, as most drivers have heeded state warnings and stayed off the road, according to Sullivan and NHDOT spokesman Bill Boynton.
"I think the public was great in basically going home and hunkering down," said Boynton. "It really allowed us to do our thing."
Sullivan said there was a minor accident with no injury on Route 101 by Landing Road Saturday morning. There was also a three-car crash near Drift Away in North Hampton Friday night, as well as reports of cars and plows getting stuck due to the water and snow.
Sullivan said the roads will be better Saturday night and Sunday, although he said travel will still be restricted and hazardous due to snow on the road and large snowbanks. Sullivan and Boynton encouraged drivers to use caution and limit driving in order for crews to continue to do their jobs.
"We're very confident we're out of the worst of it now," said Sullivan. "It's been as good as we could expect. There were no significant issues with homes and the power stayed on."
Sullivan also asked residents to check on neighbors and to make sure the snow isn't blocking any exhaust or dryer vents, as well as putting strain on roofs and other structures.
Emergency responders are available if anyone requires assistance, he said.
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