Blizzard Warning Issued For Parts of New England

Winter Storm Nemo, expected to strike Massachusetts and the rest of the Northeast on Friday could be of potentially historic proportions, the National Weather Service warned.

One to two inches of snowfall is expected in the morning, and by evening, forecasters predict up to two feet of snow and winds up to 55mph, and coastal flooding.

“I think it’s going to become fairly dangerous by Friday night. The sooner you can get off the roads the better,” said weather service meteorologist William Babcock. “You want to give yourself some time to be at your safe spot before the storm hits its strongest.”

The worst-case scenario is up to 2 feet of snow blanketing areas of the state, Boston.com reports.

Blizzard warnings were issued for parts of eastern Massachusetts and northern Rhode Island from Friday through early Saturday, and Boston Public Schools are closed Friday.

The MBTA has not yet issued advisories for any of its services.

Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency spokesman Peter Judge said a meeting of storm response agencies took place this morning at the emergency bunker in Framingham. In attendance were the National Guard, State Police, Department of Transportation, Department of Public Utilities, and the Red Cross and Salvation Army.

“This is a very serious storm that is developing,” Boston Mayor Thomas Menino said in a press conference Wednesday. “Safety is our number one priority, and my Snow Team will continue to monitor the situation so that Boston is ready for whatever comes our way.”

The Red Cross released a list of recommended supplies that includes a three-day supply of food and water, a seven-day supply of medications, flashlights with batteries, a first aid kit, warm clothing and alternative heating sources.

Winter Storm Nemo arrives on the 35th anniversary of a similar blizzard in 1978, which killed 99 people, destroyed 2,000 homes and drove 10,000 residents into shelters.

By Aditya Tejas