Northern Berkshire Emergency Planning Committee

02/22/2026

Winter Storm Preparedness Advisory

A significant winter storm is expected to impact the region beginning this evening and continuing through Monday.

Heavy, wet snow combined with gusty winds may result in hazardous travel conditions, power outages, and infrastructure impacts.

Temperatures are not expected to reach the extreme cold we’ve experienced in recent weeks; however, this storm presents different risks due to snowfall intensity and snow weight. Now is the time to prepare.

Residents are encouraged to:

Prepare for Potential Power Outages
•Charge cell phones and electronic devices.
•Have flashlights readily available (avoid candles).
•Ensure smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working and have fresh batteries.
•Use generators outdoors away from windows and doors.
•Practice safe heating, never use ovens or grills to heat your home.

Travel Only If Necessary
•Avoid unnecessary travel during peak snowfall.
•If you must travel, reduce speed and allow extra time.
•Keep an emergency vehicle kit including blankets, water, snacks, a shovel, jumper cables, and a phone charger.

Snow & Shoveling Safety
•Heavy, wet snow can be physically taxing. Take frequent breaks and avoid overexertion.
•Dress in layers and stay dry.
•Clear snow safely around home vents to prevent carbon monoxide buildup.

Community Safety
•Never approach downed wires, assume they are live and report them immediately.
•Clear fire hydrants near your home if it is safe to do so.
•Check on elderly neighbors and those who may need assistance.
•Ensure pets have adequate shelter and are protected from the elements.

This storm is expected to impact all of Massachusetts, and neighboring states with conditions potentially worsening overnight into the early morning hours. Preparedness actions taken now can reduce risk and improve safety for everyone.

Please continue to monitor local forecasts and official updates as conditions develop.

Stay Safe,
NB-REPC

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02/06/2026

Cold Weather Impacts & Community Awareness Update

Our region continues to feel the effects of an extended stretch of severe winter weather. After last week’s major snowstorm, we are now experiencing prolonged Arctic cold that is creating challenges across many communities.

Nearly every town is managing water main breaks, driven in part by frost depths that are deeper than what is typical for our area. This makes locating breaks more difficult and can result in longer water service interruptions. It’s important to note that most water main issues are handled directly by your local Water Department or DPW, and do not always require emergency management involvement.

Looking ahead, another intense Arctic blast is expected this weekend, and with the longevity of this cold, homes may be impacted differently than usual. Residents are encouraged to take proactive steps to reduce the risk of frozen or ruptured pipes:

•Check pipes more frequently, especially in colder areas of your home.
•Listen for unexpected water flow or sounds that could indicate a leak.
•Know where your water shutoffs are, including the main shutoff in the basement.
•Clearly label shutoffs and make sure everyone in the home knows their location.
•Reduce drafts, open cabinet doors under sinks, and allow warm air to reach plumbing.

We have not experienced a stretch of cold like this in quite some time, and as temperatures eventually rise, hidden pipe damage is often discovered. Taking steps now can help reduce water damage later, especially in unoccupied or seasonal homes.

Please also consider being a good neighbor. If you know a home is vacant, check in to ensure heat is being maintained and someone is monitoring the property.

This message is simply about community awareness and prevention as we continue to manage this extreme winter weather together. Small proactive steps now can help prevent larger problems down the road.

Stay warm, stay safe, and thank you for looking out for one another.

NB-REPC

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02/04/2026

Adams Boil Water Requirement Lifted.

Please share…….

02/03/2026

Town of Adams Water Main Break – Boil Water Order Update (Please Share)

The precautionary Boil Water Order remains in effect at this time. Required water sampling has been completed, and results are expected by early tomorrow afternoon, at which point we hope the Boil Water Order can be lifted, pending approval.

If needed, drinking water is available at the Adams Police Department. Please note that water may be safely used if boiled, and there are no issues with other household water uses when proper boiling procedures are followed.

Do NOT drink the water without boiling it first.
Bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute, then allow it to cool before use. Bottled water may also be used.
Use boiled or bottled water for:
• Drinking
• Brushing teeth
• Making ice
• Washing dishes
• Food preparation

Boiling water kills bacteria and other harmful organisms that may be present.

We extend our sincere thanks to the Adams Fire District crews, Town staff, response partners, and volunteers who have worked tirelessly, often in extreme conditions, to restore services and protect public health and safety.

Thank you to our residents for your patience and cooperation as we bring this incident to a safe and complete resolution. Updates will be shared as soon as results are received.

More information:

A Boil Water Order remains in effect until further notice. A public notice will be posted immediately once the order is lifted. Do Not Drink the water without boiling it first. Bring water to a...

02/02/2026

Evening Update – Town of Adams Water Main Repairs

Crews are finalizing repairs this evening despite very cold conditions and are hopeful to complete work within the next hour.

The Water Distribution Center is now closed for the evening. A limited reserve of bottled water is available in the lobby of the Adams Police Department for residents in need. The center will reopen tomorrow from 9:00am to 12:00pm. Additional information regarding water distribution and availability will be provided in the morning.

As water service is restored this evening, some residents may experience cloudy or dark-colored water. This is common following system repairs. Residents are encouraged to run their cold water for a short period to help clear the lines, and, if possible, clean faucet screens/aerators at sinks where applicable.

The precautionary Boil Water Order remains in effect until further notice.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation as crews work to complete repairs safely.

02/01/2026

Update – Town of Adams Water Distribution Center Open

The Water Distribution Center is open and staffed by Emergency Management, Adams Forest Wardens, and the Northern Berkshire CERT Group. Residents in the impacted area are encouraged to stop by if they need drinking water. To date, nearly 80 gallons of water have been distributed, and a team is on site to assist residents. If delivery is needed, please call 413-652-5314

The Adams Fire District continues repair efforts on the water system.

This will be the final update until repairs are complete. Please remember that completion of repairs does not lift the precautionary Boil Water Order, which will remain in effect until further notice pending required testing and clearance.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation and a special THANK YOU to Sand Springs Spring Water for quickly providing this necessary resource.

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02/01/2026

Boil Water Order – Water Distribution Center

Due to the newly issued precautionary Boil Water Order, a Water Distribution Center will be established for residents in the following areas:
• East Road #11–175
• Autumn Drive #12
• Burns Lane #1–19
• Fryc Lane #2–16
• Upper East Hoosac #80–127
• Country Road #5–30
• Dubis Street #1–21
• Meadow Street #49–63
• East Street #47–87
• Morningside Avenue #41–45
• Airport Road #30 & #50
• Walling Road #8–20

Location: Adams Visitors Center, 3 Hoosac Street, Adams
Time: Today, 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Residents wishing to pick up drinking water should attend during this time and be prepared to provide their address to confirm eligibility. Water distribution will be limited to ensure equitable access for all impacted residents.

Water delivery will also be provided to those impacted residents unable to come to the Visitor Center. If delivery is needed, please call 413-652-5314.

This distribution is limited to drinking water only. For other uses, residents may continue to use their own water for cooking or boiling as needed until water service is fully restored and the Boil Water Order is lifted.

We appreciate your patience and cooperation as crews work to safely restore water service.

02/01/2026

Adams Water Main Break-Boil Water Order
Please know this is issued as a PRECAUTION through MA DEP.
Thank you for your patience related to the official streets, as this was being finalized.

DRINKING WATER WARNING

BOIL YOUR WATER BEFORE USING

Adams Fire District

Loss of Pressure/Loss of Water Service

On February 1, 2026, a water main break occurred on the Adams Fire District water system at the intersection of East Road and Meadow Street. The break caused our tank that feeds the East Road Pump Station to drain. This resulted in insufficient water to maintain safe water pressure or reliable service in our distribution system.

Areas affected are as follows:

· East Road #11- to #175

· Autumn Drive #12

· Burns Lane #1 to #19

· Fryc Lane #2 to #16

· Upper East Hoosac #80 to #127

· Country Road #5 to #30

· Dubis Street #1 to 21

· Meadow Street #49 to #63

· East Street #47 to #87

· Morningside Avenue #41 to #45

· Airport Road #30 and #50

· Walling Road # 8 to #20

Massachusetts drinking water standards require public water systems to maintain 20 pounds per square inch (psi) of pressure at each service connection to ensure safe water to our customers. These circumstances warranted advising those customers who lost service and those whose pressures dropped to below 20 psi to boil their tap water upon resumption of water service. Loss of pressure can result in backflow of water through and into the distribution system and may result in bacterial contamination. As a result, we are advising customers in the affected area to boil their water and MassDEP is requiring the issuance of this public notice as a precautionary measure.

What should I do? What Does this Mean?

· DO NOT DRINK THE WATER WITHOUT BOILING IT FIRST. Bring all water to a boil, let it boil for one minute, and let it cool before using, or use bottled water. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, washing dishes, brushing teeth, and food preparation until further notice. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water.

· Refer to the MassDEP website for the following information: Consumer Information on Boil Orders https://www.mass.gov/guides/drinking-water-boil-orders-and-public-health-orders #-tips-for-water-use-during-a-boil-order-

· Discard all ice, beverages, uncooked foods, and formula made with tap water collected on or after Saturday, January 31, 2026.

· Food establishments must follow MA DPH procedures and the direction of their local board of health, which may be more stringent than the DPH guide.

· While no bacteria samples have confirmed the presence of bacteria. This notice is being issued as a precaution. However, pressure loss and discolored or turbid water due to breaks or changes in the distribution system may be related to the presence of disease causing organisms. These organisms include bacteria and viruses which can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and associated headaches. They may pose a special health risk for infants, young children, some of the elderly, and people with severely compromised immune systems.

· The symptoms above are not caused only by organisms in drinking water. If you experience any of these symptoms and they persist, you may want to seek medical advice. People at increased risk should seek advice

from their health care providers about drinking this water.

What happened? What is being done?

We have issued a reverse 911 message to all of our residents/customers affected by the event and posted public notice on our page and notified all emergency response teams. We are currently working to repair the water main break. We will verify adequate pressure and will collect bacteria samples to confirm adequate water quality of the affected area of the distribution system so that MassDEP can lift this boil water requirement. We will let you know when you are no longer advised to boil water due to this incident and will provide updates as we are able.

For more information, please contact the Adams Fire District at (413)-743-0978

General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.

This notice is being sent to you by: Adams Fire District PWS ID #: 1004000 Date distributed: February 1, 2026

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02/01/2026

Town of Adams – Water Main Break Response Update

The Town of Adams is providing the following update regarding the water main break impacting the northeast section of town, which includes East Road, East Hoosac, Dubis Street and surrounding areas.

Crews have identified and isolated the fractured section of pipe. At this time, the water storage tank is being brought back online, and the Town will begin slowly repressurizing the distribution system.

Residents in many impacted areas may begin to see increases in water pressure within the next couple of hours. This process must be conducted gradually to safely rebuild pressure within the system and minimize the risk of additional impacts.

Important Public Health Notice:
Residents are asked not to drink the water at this time, as water quality testing has not yet been completed. The Town is coordinating with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to ensure the system is tested and confirmed safe.

At this time, Meadow Street, Dubis Street will remain without water as repairs in those areas continue to be assessed. These locations are expected to be impacted the longest. If no additional substantial issues are identified, water service is anticipated to be restored to these areas prior to nightfall.

The Town continues to operate under a coordinated response through the Adams Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and will provide updates as conditions change.

The Town of Adams thanks residents for their continued patience and cooperation as crews work to safely restore service.

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02/01/2026

Town of Adams Public Notice: Water Main Break – Northeast Section of Town

The northeast section of town is currently being impacted by a substantial water main break, which will affect the area for an undetermined amount of time.

This is an evolving incident, and multiple departments and partner agencies are working collectively to resolve the issue as quickly and safely as possible.

Important Information for Residents:
• Please do not use water until further notice in the impacted area
• A Boil Water Order is expected for this area
• Residents may experience no water or very low water pressure
• Road closures are expected, and icy road conditions may be present in the affected area

Agencies and Departments Involved:
• Department of Public Works (DPW)
• Adams Water District
• Adams Fire Department
• Adams Police Department
• Adams Forest Wardens
• Adams Emergency Management
• Adams Town Officials
• Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA)
• Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)

For the safety of both the public and emergency crews, we ask that residents avoid the affected area whenever possible to allow crews to work efficiently.

If a water distribution center becomes necessary, details will be shared promptly.

We recognize the inconvenience this situation causes and appreciate the community’s patience and cooperation. Updates will be provided as information becomes available through all official local social media platforms.

Thank you for your understanding as crews continue response and repair efforts.

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