Oxford Fire & Emergency Services Emergency Management Division

10/01/2024

The latest edition of Onward Oxford!

08/17/2024

The Town of Oxford has been placed at the Critical Risk Level as a result of a second case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis being confirmed in Massachusetts that was detected in our immediate area.

08/17/2024

🚧 TRAFFIC ALERT: Railroad Repairs on Sutton Ave 🚧

Attention, Oxford Community:

Please be advised that starting Sunday at 6 AM, there will be railroad repairs occurring on Sutton Ave between Park St. and Main St. The work is expected to conclude on Tuesday, the 20th.

Important Traffic Information:

WEST OF THE RAILROAD TRACKS: No traffic will be able to travel east past the railroad tracks on Sutton Ave. Please seek alternate routes.

EAST OF THE RAILROAD TRACKS: No traffic will be able to travel west past Park St. Additionally, all side streets close to this area will be closed to through traffic, so alternate routes are necessary.

We understand this is an inconvenience to local businesses and those who travel through Oxford. However, this repair is essential, and we have worked hard to minimize the impact on our community.

08/17/2024

🚧 UPDATE TRAFFIC ALERT: Railroad Repairs on Sutton Ave 🚧

Oxford Community:
Some of you asked for more detailed information regarding the railroad repairs on Sutton Ave. Please see the below map and additional information put out by our DPW partners. We hope this helps.

08/16/2024

EEE risk levels elevated in multiple communities

08/16/2024

The railroad operator, Genesee & Wyoming, Inc., will be performing track improvements at the Sutton Avenue rail crossing starting on Sunday, August 18, 2024 and will continue through Monday, August 19, 2024.

The repairs may continue until Tuesday, August 20, 2024, however all efforts will be made to complete the work in two days to minimize impacts to the community.

The work will require the shutdown of Sutton Avenue at the rail crossing in both directions for the duration of the work, including overnight hours. The scope of work includes removing the eastern rail track permanently as well as replacement of the western rail track.

Please plan ahead, expect delays, and seek alternate routes if possible. If you have any questions, contact the Oxford Department of Public Works at (508) 987-6006.

For more details and a map of the work area please visit the Town of Oxford Website at

06/23/2024

The National Weather Service, in conjunction with MEMA’s Agency Meteorologist, are monitoring the potential for severe thunderstorms this afternoon and early evening. These storms can produce damaging wind gusts, hail, torrential downpours which can lead to isolated instances of flooding, and a few tornadoes cannot be ruled out as well.

The highest confidence area for these severe thunderstorms to occur is in western and central Massachusetts, especially for areas in the Connecticut River Valley. The threat for severe thunderstorms significantly decreases across eastern Massachusetts, especially for areas along and east of I-95. If these storms do occur, the best timing window is between 3-8PM.

Hazard Impacts/Potential Impacts

Strong winds, large hail, and a few tornadoes are possible this afternoon and evening, with areas north and west of I-95 being most at risk.
Damaging winds may bring down trees, branches, or power lines, resulting in power outages.
Heavy rainfall may cause instances of localized flash flooding.

Weather Forecast Overview
Watches, Warnings or Advisories for Massachusetts
View an up-to-date list of active advisories, watches and warnings in MA at https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/ma.php?x=1

High Surf Advisory

6/23/2024 07:08 EDT through 6/24/2024 19:00 EDT Southern Bristol, MA; Southern Plymouth, MA; Barnstable, MA; Dukes, MA; Nantucket, MA

Heat Advisory

6/23/2024 04:37 EDT through 6/23/2024 19:00 EDT Eastern Hampshire, MA; Eastern Hampden, MA

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06/19/2024

If anyone is in need of a cooling station during the high heat index this week. Please call the dispatch center at 508-987-0156. They will reach out to the responsible parties for activation of the cooling center.

06/18/2024

We are currently experiencing an outage with the 9-1-1 system here in Massachusetts. State 9-1-1 is aware and working to resolve the problem. We will keep you updated once the system is back up and running. In the meantime, If you need to report an emergency in Oxford please contact our dispatch center at 508-987-0156 . Thank you!

01/12/2024

Situation

The National Weather Service and MEMA Agency Meteorologist are anticipating another storm system, slated to bring multiple hazards to the Commonwealth overnight tonight into Saturday. Like the system that occurred earlier this week, this storm is expected to bring another round of soaking rainfall and potentially damaging wind gusts. In general, 1 to 1.5 inches of rain is expected to fall mainly overnight through early Saturday morning with locally higher amounts up to 2.5 inches possible in southeastern Massachusetts. This, combined with the already saturated grounds, will lead to renewed flooding opportunities statewide. As such, river levels are expected to rise through the weekend. Ongoing river flooding, especially over eastern Massachusetts, is expected to persist through the weekend and perhaps into early next week.

Gusty wind ranging between 35-45 mph, with locally higher gusts up to 55mph along the immediate coastal areas, is expected to occur overnight into the morning hours Saturday before easing some by Saturday midday. While wind gusts will ease to 30-40mph, they are expected to persist through the weekend as the storm lingers nearby in southern Canada. These gusts, combined with the saturated grounds, will once again renew chances for downed trees and power lines which can block roadways and cause power outages.

The strong onshore wind will cause tidal heights to rise throughout the day today into Saturday. As such, minor to perhaps moderate coastal flooding is expected during the Saturday high tide cycles across the shorelines. Beach erosion is also expected.
Drier and seasonably chilly weather is expected for the latter portion of the holiday weekend. However, the active weather pattern continues with yet another potential storm system that may impact the Commonwealth next week.

Hazard Impacts/Potential Impacts

• Potential for downed trees/ power lines causing power outages.
• Potential for significant street, river/ stream flooding
• Dangerous sea conditions for vessels.
• Hazardous travel conditions

09/15/2023

Situation

As of 2PM, Hurricane Lee was located 210 miles West of Bermuda, with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph. Slow weakening is forecast to continue over the next few days. However, Lee is likely to remain a large and dangerous hurricane through Saturday. Although the track has shifted further East, impacts are still expected across the Commonwealth and Tropical Storm Warnings are in effect for all of Coastal Massachusetts, including Dukes and Nantucket Counties.

Expect the strongest wind gusts to remain on the Outer Cape & Islands. Wind gusts of 55-65 mph remain possible, with lesser gusts further inland. Storm surge combined with astronomical high tides may cause seawater inundation, with 1-3 feet of seawater inundation possible across Coastal Massachusetts. The worst of this flooding would take place early morning on Saturday. A Coastal Flood Warning has been issued for Barnstable County and Nantucket County, and a High Surf Advisory has been issued for Dukes, Bristol, and Plymouth Counties.

Hurricane Lee is expected to produce rainfall of 1-4 inches along the Outer Cape & Islands, with lesser amounts inland. This could produce localized urban and small stream flooding.

For additional hurricane guidance for local communities, please see the “Hurricane Planning/Response” section below.

Hazard Impacts/Potential Impacts
Rough surf
Damaging winds
Hazardous driving conditions may exist, particularly on bridges.
Storm surge, particularly during astronomical high tides on Cape Cod Bay & Northern Nantucket
Flash flooding, especially in urban or poor drainage areas
Downed trees, particularly in urban or densely wooded areas
Power outages, particularly in Barnstable, Dukes, and Nantucket Counties

09/13/2023

Situation

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) is monitoring two weather events with the possibility of impacting the New England region during the next few days.

Severe Weather:

The National Weather Service (NWS), in conjunction with the MEMA Agency Meteorologist, has forecast another round of showers and thunderstorms, which have been occurring throughout the day, and is predicted to occur through late tonight. A widespread one to two inches of rain are forecast, although localized amounts up to four inches are possible. Tornado warnings which were issued in portions of Bristol, Norfolk, and Plymouth Counties have since expired, but MEMA continues to monitor for any potential impacts.

Lingering light showers over eastern Massachusetts will shift offshore Thursday morning as drier weather returns to the region for Thursday afternoon into Friday.

Hurricane Lee:

As of 5pm EST, Hurricane Lee was located 380 miles south-southwest of Bermuda with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph. Slow weakening is forecast during the next few days, however, Lee is likely to remain a large and dangerous Hurricane into the weekend.

Hurricane and tropical storm watches issued for much of coastal new England. There is the potential for life-threatening storm surge flooding in portions of southeastern Massachusetts, including Cape Cod and Nantucket, late Friday and Saturday. Tropical storm conditions are possible over a large portion of the coast including Cape Cod, Nantucket, and Martha’s Vineyard.

From Friday night through Saturday night, Lee is expected to produce rainfall amounts of 1 to 4 inches, across portions of eastern New England. This could produce localized urban and small stream flooding.

Flash Flooding Response Updates:

Yesterday, Governor Healey declared a State of Emergency in Worcester and Bristol Counties due to the impacts of Monday night’s flash flooding event. MEMA continues to work with state agency partners, including MassDOT, DCR, MSP, MEP, and others to support communities as they respond to and recover from flooding. Updates from impacted communities are captured in the Regional Updates section.


Impacts/ Potential Impacts

Severe Weather This Afternoon:

Highly saturated conditions continue across much of southern New England, and some locations are still recovering from severe flooding that occurred on Monday. Additional rainfall may worsen existing flooding or trigger new areas of flooding.

Damaging winds are possible, as well as a low risk for a brief tornado.

Hurricane Lee:

The most probable impacts from Lee will be rough surf, rip currents, and beach erosion.

Strong winds and heavy rain are possible, but the magnitude of these depends heavily on Lee’s exact track.