Governor Maggie Hassan has declared a State of Emergency for New Hampshire

Concord, New Hampshire - Governor Maggie Hassan has declared a State of Emergency for New Hampshire in response to the strengthening snow storm, which is now expected to generate snow totals of as much as 30” in parts of the state.
“We have been closely monitoring the storm as it has strengthened, and the expected snow totals have now reached levels where a State of Emergency is needed to allow for the mobilization of additional resources and to access any federal assistance that may become available,” said Governor Hassan. “I continue to urge all residents to stay safe, limit their travel and be off the roads by 7 p.m. ahead of the heaviest snowfalls.”

The State of Emergency is in effective as of 5 p.m., allowing the Governor to mobilize state assets and resources more effectively as the snow totals increase.
The text of the Govenor's executive order declaring a State of Emergency is below:

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
BY HER EXCELLENCY
MARGARET WOOD HASSAN, GOVERNOR

Executive Order 2013-03

An Order Declaring a State of Emergency Due To Severe Winter Storm

WHEREAS, on February 8, 2013, a winter storm began bringing extreme winter weather and blizzard conditions throughout the State;

WHEREAS, winter storm warnings and coastal flood warnings have been issued;

WHEREAS, the National Weather Service has forecasted the severe weather to continue throughout the evening and into the day tomorrow bringing heavy snow fall, high winds, storm surges and coastal flooding;

WHEREAS, blizzard warnings are in effect for Rockingham, Hillsborough and Strafford counties, with potential snow fall of over 30 inches and wind gusts of over fifty to fifty-five miles per hour;

WHEREAS, hazardous driving conditions and road blockages are predicted throughout the state;

WHEREAS, the state’s beaches are closed due to coastal flooding, high winds and storm surges, and hurricane force winds are predicted during the evening of up to 60 knots over the water with up to 25-30-foot seas expected off the New Hampshire coast;

WHEREAS, the storm is predicted to cause widespread disruption of electrical power and communications to over one hundred and fifty thousand homes and businesses throughout the state, which has threatened the delivery of critical public services;

WHEREAS, the state anticipates opening emergency shelters to provide emergency services to individuals who may be displaced because of power outages and below-freezing temperatures;

WHEREAS, I have directed Homeland Security and Emergency Management and other state agencies to prepare for the potential impacts of the storm by activating the Emergency Operations Center, implementing the State’s Emergency Operations Plan, monitoring weather and flood conditions, and providing local assistance and planning in anticipation of this severe weather event;

WHEREAS, despite these emergency preparations, the storm is anticipated to cause extensive damage in areas of highest snowfall and along the coast;

WHEREAS, under the provisions of New Hampshire RSA 4:45, I find that a natural disaster of major proportions is occurring within this state, and that the safety and welfare of the inhabitants of this state require the declaration of a state of emergency as defined in RSA 21-P:35, VIII;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, MARGARET WOOD HASSAN, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, by the authority vested in me by part II, article 41 of the New Hampshire Constitution and New Hampshire RSA 4:45, do hereby declare a state of emergency to exist in the State of New Hampshire as of 5 p.m.

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that all agencies of the state government utilize and employ state personnel, equipment and facilities for the performance of any and all activities consistent with the emergency management powers under my direction pursuant to RSA 4:47, 21-P:34 et. seq., and the State Emergency Operations Plan.

I FURTHER DIRECT that as soon as possible, this executive order be filed with the Secretary of State and that widespread publicity and notice be given of this executive order.

Given under my hand and seal at the Executive Chambers in Concord, this 8th day of February, in the Year of our Lord two thousand and thirteen, and the independence of the Unites States of America two hundred and thirty-seven

Margaret Wood Hassan Governor of New Hampshire