0
0
LEOMINSTER, MASS. Leominster officials, prompted by heavy rainfall that flooded the region on Monday evening, declared a State of Emergency.
Leominster was declared a flash flood emergency around 11 pm by the National Weather Service. A large swath in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Hampshire were included earlier that evening under several flash flood alerts.
Leominster was awash with rescues Monday night. The rain kept falling and authorities said they would be rushing help from other communities as well as state agencies in areas that were hard hit.
Leominster’s Mayor Dean Mazzarella said in a Facebook message around 6:30pm, “It’s not safe.”
Mazzarella, in a Facebook Live video, shared the view of an area near Leominster’s police station that he stated had been submerged since about 4:30 p.m.
Mazzarella stated that “we’ve invited everyone.”
Mazzarella also urged members of the community to stay away from the roads, and that around 7:45pm some buildings within the vicinity had up eight feet worth of water.
“I’ve seen nothing like this”, he replied.
Leominster mayor describes rescues, mutual aid response
Mazzarella said to 7NEWS heavy rains began around 4:15 p.m.
Mazzarella stated that as of 9pm, there were no places for water to flow and many roads had been closed.
“People try to get off of the highway”, he said. “But the streets in our area are still flooded.”
Mazzarella reported that in addition to Department of Public Works personnel, police officers, and firefighters, city officials have also asked for assistance from the state as well.
The man said: “We need more bodies in this area.”
Mazzarella said, despite the calls for assistance, that it was up to the city to maintain its road network.
“We called for mutual help,” he explained. The roads will be blocked if people are unable to pass through the large areas of mud.
Mazzarella added, “Don’t stay in Leominster tomorrow night.”
Mazzarella reported that Leominster’s downtown was severely affected by flooding. Mazzarella also reported severe flooding along the Nashua River as well as the Monoosnoc Brook.
Mazzarella stated that a part of a building near the Monoosnoc Brook was beginning to collapse between Water Street and Mechanic Street. The firefighters arrived at the site around nine o’clock to check that there was no one inside.
Mazzarella says that floods trapped some Leominster residents in cars, which required their rescue.
Mazzarella stated that an entire mobile home park was flooded, prompting it to be evacuated. 7NEWS camera crews on the scene caught some of these evacuations. Residents were seen taking their possessions out of their homes, and heading to dry ground while rescuers walked door to door.
The boats were also used for bringing out others.
7NEWS reported multiple rescues around Main Street and Pleasant Street. However, the floodwaters appeared to have receded a bit by 10:30 p.m.
The parking lot of a luxury auto dealership on Main Street, near the Nashua River flooded, and several cars fell into what was once solid, steady ground.
Leominster Public Schools’ Superintendent Paula Deacon said Monday that all city schools were closed for Tuesday due to flooding.
Deacon told the children to “please stay safe”.
Mazzarella posted on Facebook that The Frances Drake School, located on Viscoloid Avenue at Leominster in Leominster is now open to those who are in need.
At 11pm, the school was crowded with more than 60 visitors.
Flooding causes road closures, cancelled trains
MassDOT, the Department of Transportation for Massachusetts said in a release that several state roads had been closed because of flooding around 7:50 p.m. These included Route 2 at Leominster; Route 1A at Attleboro; and Exit 50 from I-90 Eastbound or Westbound Chicopee.
Route 1A reopened in Attleboro later on Monday.
MassDOT reported that as early as Tuesday morning the eastbound lane of Route 2 in Leominster was reopened. However, the westbound lanes remain closed.
On Monday, Exit 51 of I-90 Eastbound/Westbound was re-opened in Chicopee. However, I-291 Westbound Exit 6 had been closed in this area at around 9 pm.
X posts indicate that the MBTA Commuter Rail lines in Fitchburg, Providence and other areas were affected by cancellations, delays or early terminations around 7 p.m.
T later announced that service on the Providence Line had been halted between Pawtucket/Central Falls to Wickford Junction because of flash flooding.
T stated that “severe delays are expected in both directions.”
In a separate blog post, the T noted that passengers could consider RIPTA services for transportation between Pawtucket Junction (R.I.) and Wickford Junction.
Due to the damage caused by flash floods, all trains now start/end at Shirley station on the Fitchburg Line.
T says buses will take over train service from Shirley to Wachusett up until the end of Tuesday’s service.
T: “Our engineers are working on repairs so that we can resume service regularly as soon as possible.”
North Attleboro’s Emergency Operations Team, in response to heavy rainfall that caused further flash flooding in the area, asked residents in an email Monday night “please remain off the road and stay in your shelter until further notification”.
North Attleboro officials provided an update at 11:45pm, saying that the floodwaters are receding. They also said North Attleboro’s order to shelter in place had been lifted.
The officials warned that if driving is necessary, you should exercise caution.
Gov. Maura Healey released a press release on Monday night in response to the floods that are occurring in Massachusetts. She said, “There is catastrophic flooding in the Leominster region and other communities throughout the state tonight.”
Healey stated, “My heart goes to those affected by the tragedy and all public safety personnel.”
Healey told reporters that she talked to Leominster’s Mayor Mazzarella, “and directed state agencies” to help in any way they can.
Healey noted that Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency personnel, Massachusetts State Police officers and state Department of Fire Services staff were present on Monday evening with teams of emergency responders and boats to “ensure the safety of residents.”
Weather expected to be drier on Tuesday
It is planned that the flash flood emergency, and its corresponding flash flooding warning for Leominster Fitchburg and nearby communities will remain in force until 8 AM Monday
At 11:30 pm, the flash flood alerts for southern New England have expired.
In the hours leading up to 9pm on Monday night, Radar estimated that anywhere between 6 and 9 inches of rain had been recorded in Leominster. This city has already experienced several rainy days this summer.
According to radar estimations, another community along the Massachusetts/Rhode Island Border north of Providence near North Attleboro received over seven inches in rain during recent hours, before 9 pm.
As the rain and steady showers left southern New England, light showers were seen in some areas just before midnight.
There will likely be a few showers in the area on Tuesday. They are predicted to move more quickly and to be less intense than Monday’s rain.
We’re expecting more showers, thunderstorms and scattered rain on Wednesday.
Learn more about water damage restoration at https://ncrestoration.ca/. The services provided by these companies are vital for dealing with issues caused by water damage in different environments.
You can start your search online by checking out the sites of water damage restoration companies. Their websites provide information about their services, including assessment, water removal, structural drying, mould remediation and repairs. You can assess their reputation by reading customer reviews and testimonials.
Our customer service team can provide you with personalized assistance or specific information. We are here to guide you to the most suitable water damage company for your particular needs. Our top priority is to restore your home efficiently after water damage. Your peace of mind and the efficient restoration of your property are also our highest priorities.
