Storm Packs Powerful Punch

BOSTON -- Hundreds of schools closed and businesses let their employees out early Thursday as a winter storm blanketed the Bay State, canceling flights and causing a treacherous evening commute.

Snow started falling early in the afternoon, and accumulations were expected to reach as much as 1 foot in some areas of western Masssachusetts to as little as 2 to 4 inches on Cape Cod.

Boston school officials said that the city was working to get students home from school. Parents were advised in a voice mail message earlier Thursday that bus rides home would be slow. The Edward Everett School in Dorchester was still occupied with students at 5 p.m., waiting for buses to arrive. Parents with questions were urged to call the Boston Public Schools Transportation Division at 617-635-9050.

Several accidents were reported on local highways. Speeds were reduced to 40 mph on the Massachusetts Turnpike. Some commuters said that it took them more than two hours to travel about seven miles.

"I think everything is a big problem statewide. We are really being hit hard by the snow," said Frank Tramontozzi, of Mass Highway. "People are cautiously driving, which is good. For their own safety, they should be driving slow. The plows can only go as fast as the cars in front of them. We are getting reports that the local roadways are gridlocked."

Mass Highway said that crews will be out throughout the night to ensure that the roads are ready for the morning commute.

At Boston's Logan International Airport, airlines canceled about 50 percent of their domestic flights because of the snow. Airport spokesman Phil Orlandella said there are no plans to close the airport, although it's possible the airport may temporarily operate with just one runway.

Some airlines agreed to waive fees for flight changes. Customers can request refunds for canceled flights.

"They will try to maintain the integrity of their scheduled tomorrow. The weather is expected to be clear. The operation in the morning, we expect for the most part to be in tact. The airlines will have their equipment here overnight once we have the runways and the areas clean of the snow," Logan International Airport Aviation Director Ed Frenney said.

Schools sent students home early, and officials canceled afternoon and evening activities. Gov. Deval Patrick directed all agencies of state government to release all non-emergency personnel.

In Boston, where a snow emergency was declared, it took some motorists more than one hour to get from Copley Square to City Hall Plaza. By 7 p.m., 7 inches of snow had fallen in the city.

"The gridlock we have downtown, the traffic is coming off the expressway and feeding into the city of Boston, Storrow Drive and the Expressway. You see the current gridlock, and that is a serious problem for the people who try to maneuver the streets of our city in this time of emergency," Boston Mayor Tom Menino said.

Earlier in the afternoon, Natick residents and Department of Public Works employees geared up for the winter hit. Shoppers flocked to local grocery stores to stock up on supplies.

"People get crazy. They think they are going to be snowed in and the plows are not going to show up," one customer said.

"We want people to stay off the roads. If they are able to go home from work early, go home early and stay off the roads. Let us do our job, and by morning everything should be fine," Natick DPW spokesman Charlie Sisipsky said.

Residents were warned to keep home exhaust vents clear. In 2005, 7-year old Nicole Garafolo, of Plymouth, died from carbon monoxide poisoning because snow blocked one of her home's outside exhaust vents.

Since then, officials have passed "Nicole's Law," which requires all homes to have carbon monoxide alarms.