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Mass. state offices remain closed Friday

BOSTON (AP) - Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick says state offices will be closed Friday and is urging private employers to keep workers home.

Patrick said up to two feet of snow is expected is some spots along the Massachusetts coast, where a widespread snowfall of 14 to 18 inches is forecast north and south of Boston.

Blizzard warnings were issued for coastal areas Friday night because of heavy snow and gusty winds.

Patrick said no major flooding has been reported but said local officials in Duxbury and Scituate south of Boston have asked for voluntary evacuations of some neighborhoods ahead of high tides overnight and Friday.

He said National Guardsmen and state police are on stand-by.

Patrick said bitter cold also was a concern, with wind chills of 25 to 30 below zero expected overnight.