Blizzard Update: Travel Ban Ending at 4

Editor's note: Grafton-centric updates on the blizzard (cancellations, emergency notices) will be posted here.

Update, 1 p.m., Feb. 9: The travel ban for non-emergency residents will be lifted at 4 p.m. Saturday.

Update, noon, Feb. 9: The National Weather Service listed 18 inches as its unofficial snowfall total for Grafton as of this morning. But as our readers are showing us in their photos: it looks like it's more!

Update, Saturday, Feb. 9: MBTA Service remains suspended on all routes today.

Update, 2 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 9: The unofficial snow total for North Grafton was 14 inches, according to information recorded with the National Weather Service.

Update, 3:30 p.m., Friday, Feb. 8: Plow crews were out in full force after 2 p.m. Road were becoming slick. Highway Superintendent Dave Crouse said crews expected to be straight out through the night.

*Update, 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 8: Gov. Deval Patrick signed an executive order banning all drivers after 4 p.m. He said as many people need to be off the road as possible. This is first time he has signed such an order: the last time an order like this has been issued was after the Blizzard of '78. Violators could be fined up to $500 and be sentenced to a year in jail. However, the main purpose is to get non-essential people off the roads: not to levy fines, the governor said. 

*Craving a donut? You can't get one at Dunkin' Donuts. The Grafton store ran out early Friday. They do, however, still have muffins and coffee!

*Grafton Police Chief Normand A. Crepeau Jr. would like to remind residents to avoid unnecessary travel during the storm and stay off the roads once the storm peaks. 

"Also, remember to keep parked vehicles off the roads during the snowstorm.  Vehicles parked on the road hamper plowing operations and make it difficult for highway crews to properly clear the road of snow and ice. Vehicles left on the road during these times may be ticketed and towed at the owner’s expense."

Cancellations

The Tufts campus is closed, but the veterinary emergency room will be open throughout the storm.

The Grafton Recycling Center will be closed Saturday, Feb. 9.

Apple Tree Arts has canceled "Snoozy Snowflake" musical scheduled for Saturday, February 9, at 7 p.m. It has been rescheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 12; the time has not yet been determined.

Apple Tree Arts has cancelled its Faculty & Friends Concert scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 10, 4 p.m. It will be rescheduled.

Grafton Preschool and Daycare center is closing at noon on Friday, Feb. 8.

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As we make our way through the blizzard, please use this story on Grafton Patch to help out your neighbors. Know of a cancellation because of the weather? Let us know and we'll add it in the text, or you can add it yourself in the comments. Once the blizzard is underway, report poor road conditions or downed trees/impassable streets, here. We'll do the same.

We want to make sure that Grafton stays connected. For live updates during the storm, be sure to  'like' Grafton Patch on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

As you send us messages through social media and email (danielle.horn@patch.com), we’ll make sure the information is added to this story. If you notice hazardous conditions, please alert authorities and then let us know so we can spread the word quickly.

Grafton Patch is all about connecting neighbors and helping neighbors, so we hope you’ll find this information hub helpful during the storm. Stay safe, Grafton!

IMPORTANT NUMBERS & WEBSITES: 

• In an emergency, dial 911
• Police Department: 508-839-8507
• Fire Department: 508-839-4606
• DPW: 508-839-5335 x124
• National Grid power outages: 800-465-1212 
• National Grid Outage Map
• Charter: 888-438-2427
• Verizon: 1-800-VERIZON (1-800-837-4966)