FALL RIVER, MA — The sound of heavy machinery echoed through the hills of Fall River early Thursday morning as the Massachusetts National Guard officially joined the battle against the record-breaking snow accumulation. Following a direct request for assistance from Mayor Paul Coogan, Governor Maura Healey authorized the deployment to prevent the city’s infrastructure from reaching a total standstill.

A City Under Siege
The recent blizzard dumped nearly three feet of snow on Fall River’s notoriously narrow and steep streets. While city plow crews have worked around the clock, the sheer volume of snow has nowhere left to go. Massive snowbanks, some reaching over six feet high, have effectively turned two-way streets into single-lane paths, making it impossible for emergency vehicles—including fire trucks and ambulances—to pass.

The Guard’s Objectives
The National Guard isn’t just bringing extra shovels; they are bringing specialized heavy equipment:

Front-End Loaders & Dump Trucks: These are being used to physically remove snow from the city’s most congested neighborhoods and transport it to “snow farms” (large designated melting lots).
Clearance for Emergency Routes: The primary mission is to widen the access points to hospitals, fire stations, and police headquarters.
School Access: With schools closed for several days, the Guard is prioritized to clear bus routes and parking lots to allow students to return safely.