Although the City received approximately 565 storm-related calls as of 3:30PM on December 18, Deputy DPW Commissioner Shawna Sullivan said, “Assuming the heavy rain has moved out of the area, flooding should not be an issue during the evening commute,” according to Mayor Ruthanne Fuller’s office.
In addition, “Newton Police Capt. Damien Ducette, who is in charge of the traffic bureau, reports that (as of 3:30PM there were) no major streets … closed due to the storm,” according to the mayor’s office.
A car is seen on Dec. 18, plowing through an overflow of water on a portion of Harvard Street in Newtonville. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) 
During a windy storm on Dec. 18, Laundry Brook looked more like whitewater rapids as it churned by Dexter Road near Newton North High School. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) 
A huge tree limb fell at the corner of Parkview and Norwood avenues near Cabot Elementary School during a windy storm on Dec. 18. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) 
Officials closed off Adams Street after a utility pole and tree limbs fell on Dec. 18, during a windy storm. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) Wind gusts overturned heaters and furniture for Sol Asteca’s outdoor dining (photo: Jack Prior) Officials closed Walnut Street between Judith Rd and Brentwood Ave. due to a downed tree hanging on overhead wires (photo: Bruce Henderson)
Sullivan stated that “there was some flooding on Homer and Harvard streets, Lowell Avenue and Wheeler Road, among others.”
According to the Mayor’s Office, City Forester Marc Welch said that he has “ responded to approximately 180 reports of tree issues. (As of 3:30PM, it was) too soon to know how many of these (reports were about) whole trees rather than just parts of trees.”
By the late afternoon, there were still some downed trees, including one blocking Walnut Street between Judith Road and Brentwood Avenue that the Mayor’s Office said would be cleared soon.
“When trees hit power lines, the utility company needs to come out and cut power before any work can be done to clear the area,” the Mayor’s Office stated.
The Newton Police, via its Facebook page, asked residents not to call 911 “for downed trees where no one is trapped or in immediate danger. It is important to keep our emergency lines available.” Instead, it advised residents to visit the City’s Tree Related Emergencies page.
