Last updated 5:03 p.m.
First winter storm of the year is here
Jan 4, 2018
Visibility has been decreased on Tucker Road during the storm. BY DOUGLAS MCCULLOCH
The intersection of Route 6 and Faunce Corner Road at 8 a.m. was devoid of traffic as many residents appear to be staying indoors. BY DOUGLAS MCCULLOCH
Schools, government offices, and other services are closed as Dartmouth is faced with a winter Nor'easter. The storm is expected to bring totals of more than a foot, whiteout and blizzard conditions, and the potential for powerful winds and power loss.
Here are the latest storm updates as they come in. This page will be updated throughout the day as new information comes in.
7:15 a.m.
The storm entered the region with above-freezing temperatures and rain earlier in the morning. Motorists appear to be heeding state and local officials' warnings and staying off the roads. Traffic on Route 6 was light at the height of rush hour, and few cars could be spotted on the main roads amid snow plows, public safety, and delivery and oil vehicles.
8:00 a.m.
The storm is not putting a damper on the coffee business. For those in need of their Chippi fixes, Mirasol's Cafe on Route 6 is open.
"It's probably going to be like this all day," said Mirasol's owner Richard Romero as about four customers waited in line. He's also expecting a steady stream of plow drivers, first responders, and others working through the storm.
"We're going to see a lot of those guys, and our regulars too," Romero said.
Sunrise Bakery on Dartmouth Street also had its share of regulars sitting down in store or picking up baked goods and coffee in the drive-through.
"Usually we have busy mornings no matter the weather," said employee Elijah Deandrade, adding that he expects to see quite a few who need to be out on the roads stop in for food and drink.
For those further south, the Wild Honey Cafe located inside Davoll's General Store on Russells Mills Road is closed, but Davoll's has hot coffee and pastries for sale. Cumberland Farms and Dunkin Donuts are also open.
First-responders recommend that people stay off the roads... but if you're a first-responder, operating a snow plow, or providing a myriad of other services that have you out in this mess, here's where you can fuel yourself in Dartmouth during the blizzard. Do we need to add something? Or did something close? Let us know! Email editor@dartmouthweek.net!
8:41 a.m.
A motor vehicle crash is reported on Interstate 195 westbound near the Reed Road exit. According to scanner traffic, a car hit the guardrail.
8:53 a.m.
Fire crews discovered another crash on Interstate 195 just over the town line in Westport. Crews say Interstate 195's condition is very poor, with icy ramps reported.
10 a.m.
After teetering on the rain/snow line for much of the morning, the snow has broken through in Dartmouth.
10:22 a.m.
Russels Mills Road by Vieira Court and Hathaway Road north of Slocum Road are reported to be flooded. Department of Public Works crews have been dispatched to clear catchbasins.
11:01 a.m.
The first reports of power outages are coming in. According to Eversource, seven Dartmouth customers are without power.
11:47 a.m.
A tree was reported to be in contact with power lines on Connecticut Avenue, with arcing reported.
12:37 p.m.
Wires are reported down and blocking half the roadway in the 1100 block of Tucker Road, according to scanner traffic.
1:00 p.m.
Eversource reports three Dartmouth customers are without power.
1:08 p.m.
A snow plow was reported stuck on Johnson Street. Additional DPW crews are responding to help free the truck.
1:10 p.m.
A tree was reported down and blocking the entire road on Greystone Avenue.
1:20 p.m.
A tree was reported leaning into the roadway on Allen Street.
1:21 p.m.
Power outages in Dartmouth appear to be increasing. Eversource now reports 89 customers without power.
1:26 p.m.
A tree was reported leaning into the road on Old Fall River Road near Energy Road blocking half of the roadway.
1:32 p.m.
The tree down on Greystone Avenue was reported cleared.
1:37 p.m.
A snow plow is stuck on Dean Street off of Hathaway Road.
1:45 p.m.
Dartmouth Fire District 3 responding to Cross Road in the area of Target for a report of primary power lines down. Responding units discovered a live wire down on the sidewalk in front of the entrance to Target.
1:51 p.m.
A large tree was reported down blocking Rock O'Dundee Road at Lapham Lane.
1:55 p.m.
A large tree was reported hanging over wires and pulling them down in the 500 block of Old Fall River Road.
2:00 p.m.
Power outages continue to increase. Eversource reports 940 customers without power, or six percent of Dartmouth's 14,819 customers.
2:27 p.m.
Dartmouth Fire District No. 3 received a report of wires down in the road at 1068 Hixville Road.
2:35 p.m.
Eversource reports 532 customers are without power.
2:53 p.m.
Dartmouth DPW received a report of a tree down on a car on Vincent Street.\
3:17 p.m.
Dartmouth police received report of a tree down on power lines at 748 Faunce Corner Road.
3:29 p.m.
Dartmouth Fire District No. 3 responding to a rollover crash on Interstate 195 eastbound offramp to Faunce Corner Road. Crews responding to the scene were informed by State Police the crash was already cleared.
3:39 p.m.
A tree was reported down and blocking Flag Swamp Road and Pine Island Road.
3:42 p.m.
Dartmouth Fire District No. 3 is cutting a tree blocking Cross Road near the Faunce Corner Road intersection.
4:11 p.m.
Eversource reports 892 customers without power.
4:36 p.m.
Dartmouth Fire crews dispatched to Lexington and Slocum Roads for a report of a smoking transformer. Crews reported branches had touched the wires but there was no fire.
4:37 p.m.
Department of Public Works crews report a tree down in the 500 block of Chase Road, blocking the roadway.
5:03 p.m.
Eversource reports 926 customers without power.
The snow has stopped falling, but crews are still working to clear roads.
