Pine branches on the ground along Western Avenue near Birch Terrace on Sunday. (Photo by Christine Charnosky)
WESTFIELD – Motorists were dodging debris and the police were working overtime as April came in like a lion on Sunday.
Residents woke to a few inches of spring snow Sunday morning, which caused some whiteout conditions around the predawn hour.
Then the winds kicked in. Then the calls starting pouring into dispatch. Then the struggle to keep roadways cleared became the agenda for the day.
The Westfield Police Department received dozens of calls for downed trees and wires.
Within less than four hours, between approximately noon and 4 p.m., a dozen calls were recorded for “weather complaints” or downed lines, according to police logs.
Debris in the roadway at the intersection of Mill and W. Silver Streets. (Photo by Christine Charnosky)
Westfield Police Lt. Jerome Pitoniak said that the department held six officers over from the 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. shift to work into the next shift to handle all the calls.
Residents absolutely should call 9-1-1 if a tree is down, especially if it is blocking the road, or even if people see that a limb or tree is about to fall, Pitoniak said.
Police were mainly working to keep roadways clear, according to the police scanner, and would have crews work more on clean-up after the winds died down.
Just before 4 p.m., Meadow Street at the intersection of Route 202 was closed while crews removed debris from the road.
City Officers have the corner of Elm St and Meadow St blocked off so crews could work on a tree that has fallen onto overhead power lines. (Photo by Kellie Adam)
Many complaints received were around the center of town: Holcomb Park on Court Street, Franklin Street, Western Avenue, Noble Avenue and Union Street.
Other locations included Prospect Street, Whitaker Road and City View Boulevard.
Near 3 p.m. downed lines were reported at 18 Sterling Street.
Social media users reported numerous power outages, but Pitoniak said he couldn’t speak to that issue. The Westfield Gas & Electric Website listing power outages is apparently not updated since it has been reporting no outages all during Sunday afternoon.
A statement on Westfield Gas & Electric’s Facebook page, posted shortly before 5 p.m. states: “As you can imagine, these strong winds are causing some headaches with isolated outages due to falling limbs and trees making contact with power lines. A pole has come down on Eastwood Drive and will need replacing so customers in that area are currently experiencing a power interruption. All available crews are out there working as quickly and safely as possible to get power restored and trees cleared from lines. Hoping these winds clear out shortly. Thanks for your patience!”
Pitoniak echoed that sentiment: “hopefully it will be done soon.”
The National Weather Service Website states that the Wind Advisory will remain in effect until 7 p.m. Sunday night. Winds are from the northwest between 15 to 30 miles per hour gusting between 45 to 50 miles per hour.
The wind knocked out the street lights at the intersection of Route 202 and Arch Road near the Mass Turnpike on Sunday. (Photo by Christine Charnosky).
Staff Writer Christine Charnosky can be reached at [email protected]
Follow me on Twitter: @charnoskyWNG
