UPDATED: Sharon Storm Center: Tracking the New England Blizzard

Be sure to check the Patch Live Blog during the blizzard this weekend!

In what could be the biggest snow storm New England has seen in more than two years, Sharon could be among the communities in Massachusetts to see nearly two feet of the white stuff this weekend. 

With the lastest forecast, the National Weather Service has issued a blizzard watch for most of eastern Massachusetts including Sharon, calling it a "potential historic winter storm".

Residents can expect the potential of snow falling at 3-to-4 inches per hour and wind gusts of more thsan 20 miles per hour.

On Thursday, officials in Sharon announced a Snow Emergency, in which there will be on on-street parking allowed between Friday, Feb. 8 and Sunday, Feb. 10.

Cancellations, Postponements

• Gov. Deval Patrick has banned all vehicles from driving on the roads effective 4 p.m. Friday. Those exempt include public utility and health care workers as well as delivery trucks and news media.
• Sharon Public Schools are closed on Friday.
• Eastern Bank will close at noon on Friday.
• Gilson JCC ELC, Sharon, will be closing five hours early on Friday.
• Open House at Everwood Day Camp in Sharon has been moved to Sunday, Feb. 10 from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.  
• The MBTA will suspend service on all lines at 3:30 p.m. on Friday.

The following is a partial list of phone numbers to call related to specific problems you may have in Sharon:

• Sharon Police business line: 781-784-1587
• Sharon Department of Public Works: 781-784-1525
• Snow Removal: 781-784-1525 x2314
• NSTAR outage reporting: 1-800-592-2000
• National Grid outage reporting: 1-800-465-1212
• Verizon: 1-800-VERIZON (1-800-837-4966)
• Comcast: 1-800-COMCAST (1-800-266-2278)

Residents should not contact police regarding power outages, but should contact NSTAR or National Grid. In emergency situations, however, residents should not hesitate to call 9-1-1.

NSTAR has also released a list of emergency safety tips and is encouraging residents to prepare emergency safety kits.

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) has provided out a list of winter weather safety tips: 

• Everyone should have supplies which would prepared them to survive on their own for at least three days. There should be some non-perishable food, bottled water, flashlights and extra batteries around the house, along with a portable radio or NOAA Weather Radio in case of power outages or other emergencies caused by a winter storm.
• Additional items that should be included on your Winter Weather Supply List are a freshly-stocked first-aid kit, essential prescription medicines, non-perishable foods (those that require no refrigeration such as canned goods, dried fruits and nuts), a non-electric can opener, water (one gallon per person, per day), baby-care items, extra blankets, sleeping bags and a fire extinguisher.
• Have sufficient heating fuel, as regular sources may be cut off. Have emergency heating equipment and fuel (a gas fireplace, wood burning stove or fireplace) so you can keep at least one room livable. Be sure the room is well ventilated.
• Make sure your home is properly insulated. Caulk and weather-strip doors and windows to keep cold air out.
• Install storm windows or cover windows with plastic from the inside to provide insulation.
• To keep pipes from freezing, wrap them in insulation or layers of newspapers, covering the newspapers with plastic to keep out moisture.
• Let faucets drip a little to avoid freezing.
• Know how to shut off water valves.
• If pipes freeze, remove insulation, completely open all faucets and pour hot water over the pipes, starting where they are most exposed to the cold. A hand-held hair dryer, used with caution, also works well.
• Suggested items for a Winter Emergency Car Kit include a flashlight with extra batteries, a basic first-aid kit, necessary medications, a pocket knife, booster cables, a blanket or a sleeping bag, extra clothes (including rain gear, mittens and socks), non-perishable foods, a non-electric can opener, sand for generating vehicle traction, tire chains or traction mats, a basic tool kit (pliers, wrench, screwdriver), a tow rope, a container of water and a brightly colored cloth to serve as a flag, if necessary.
• Ensure that your tires have adequate tread and keep your gas tank at least half-full. Plan long trips carefully, listening to the latest weather reports and road conditions.
• Travel during the day, and if possible, try to take someone along with you.
• Easy instructions are available at www.mass.gov/mema/mobileapp.
• More winter emergency tips from MEMA can be found here.

Sharon Patch will provide updates on closings, cancellations, and emergency information to this Storm Center throughout the weekend.  

Power outage in your neighborhood? Tree fallen or other impediments in a local roadway? Flash flooding? Share your information with Sharon Patch and your neighbors here, or on our Facebook page.