MEMA monitoring blizzard, power outages

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. (WHDH) -- State leaders monitored the storm from the emergency management bunker in Framingham.

There was no word Saturday morning on when the driving ban would be lifted. The MBTA announced that service would most likely not resume on Satuday. The driving ban would be in place until further notice from the governor.

Gov. Deval Patrick himself was not even at the bunker - he was hunkered down in his own home for the blizzard. Route 9 was empty, showing that Bay State residents were heeding the advice to stay off the road. Caravans of plow trucks were sweeping the highways.

Around 3:00 a.m. the snow intensity picked up at an incredible rate, and didn't let up at all in terms of intensity since then.

Power outages were being monitored. MEMA said outages were the number one concern. Coastal flooding and its potential with the next high tide, was the number two concern. As the sun rises this morning, people are going to start to get stir crazy, another concern on MEMA’s list. Some folks at this point might think the storm is winding down - but they want you to know - it's not.

Saturday promised to be the second day of the storm - not a winding down period. People were told to hunker down where they are. Their general guidelines for anyone contemplating going out: If you don't have to be out for any reason, or if you can delay the reason, please do so. The blizzard and bans will end at some point - so don't put yourself in harm's way. It's very successful so far.

Those that violate the driving ban could face a hefty fine, or even jail time. One encouraging difference from the historic Blizzard of ’78 was that cars weren’t getting stuck in the snow Friday - proving that the driving ban is working, keeping people safe.

MEMA was looking into the causes of power outages on Saturday morning, whether they were caused from wind blowing down the power lines, or because of fallen trees. There is a big difference between those things and how quickly they'll be able to actually repair the power once they can get out there.