Powerful winter storm slams Wareham, power outages across town

Many Warehamites awoke to the gateway town covered in vast amounts of snow with widespread power outages reported. 

Wareham Emergency Management is urging residents to stay home as harsh winds, thick snow and downed wires threaten safety while driving. Director Calib LaRue is busy clearing the roads and working with Municipal Maintenance to clear routes. 

"The current mission is getting some staff to Tobey Hospital," he said. "Everybody woke up to a lot of snow with the exception of our plow drivers that were dealing with it overnight."

The plan as of this morning is to open up a warming center within the Multi Service Center, 48 Marion Road, from noon to 6 p.m., if residents can "get there safely."

LaRue said Eversource are on the roads responding to calls, but have emphasis in responding to trapped cars and downed wires first. 

"It's just not safe for them to do anything more at this current time," he said. "If people are out of power they have to hunker down and they have to wait."

According to Eversource outage maps, many residents of Onset and West Wareham are without power. The estimated time of repair is unknown at this time and community members can check the maps at outagemap.eversource.com.

Those experiencing an outage can text OUT to 23129 or call 800-592-2000.

"Please stay home and stay off the roads. It's not safe for travel," LaRue said. 

For more information and further questions, residents can contact Emergency Management Director Calib LaRue at 774-766-9819 or clarue@warehampolice.gov.

Have a photo of the snow and storm you'd like to feature? Send pictures to news@warehamweek.com.