Haverhill, Massachusetts gets 18 inches of snow from first storm of winter
HAVERHILL – Haverhill was one of the hardest hit communities from the first snow storm in nearly two years in Massachusetts this weekend.
The city had 18 inches of snow on the ground by Sunday night, according to the National Weather Service.
Power lines sagged under the weight of the snow and some branches came down, but overall no major issues were reported.
Department of Public Works director Robert Ward said there were about 140 sand and salt trucks out on the road with the plows.
"We're just chipping away. If you take a look around the facility, it's a ghost town because everyone is out there plowing snow," Ward told WBZ-TV Sunday. "It's just a lot of it, and it's just going to take some time to get the roads cleared out."
Haverhill Mayor Melinda Barrett urged residents to use caution. "If you see any downed wires, stay away. Call. If you can, shovel your sidewalks," she said.
And Haverhill residents did spend much of Sunday shoveling and clearing out. Chris Hailson said he planned to go right back inside as soon as he cleared his car.
"It's pretty nuts having this much snow. It was very sudden, too. Like we didn't get like any gradual snowstorms, something like that," Hailson said. "So, it's pretty crazy."
Haverhill resident Karen Sullivan said she was not a fan of the snow either. "I was really enjoying the winter that wasn't. Don't like this at all."
But for Steve, a plow driver who had been out since 2 a.m., the snow was a relief.
"It's about time. Pennies from heaven," he said. "I am paying for seven trucks, the insurance, registrations, and its adds up, so this helps."