FEMA declaration - note from NR Fire Chief

Could you send this out to your neighbors:

   The Federal Government finally declared this county a disaster area and the federal programs will begin to become available.  To qualify and apply, residents should call the FEMA hot line at 1-800-621-3362 to get additional information and apply.  Applications can also be made on line a www.fema.gov .

   Once applications are received, FEMA representatives will come out to inspect the claims before processing any assistance.  I suggest that anyone wanting to apply should do so as soon as possible as there will be a large volume of claims coming from the region.

   Again, I urge everyone to document their losses with pictures to assist in speeding the process.

   Hope this is of some help.  Have a good weekend.

Dave Harlow, North Reading Fire Chief

(Note from Janet: I have many pictures if any of you feel you need some more documentation, between myself, Al, and the many others, we may have photos of your house.  Email me if you need any.)

Buses resume 5/25/06

It's official.

 

School buses will resume their normal routes tomorrow AM, Thursday 5/25/06.

 

Thank you to all of you for your patience.

 

You should all get notices in your back packs.

 

Other news...

 

I just spoke with Congressman Tierney's office, our US Congressman.  Helen Rush-Lloyd in his office assures me that the FEMA disaster declaration is in process, and although there is always a chance of it not being declared, they are optomistic we will hear any day. 

 

She asked me to remind anyone that has missed 3 or more days of work can file for unemployment benefits. For information on this and any other benefits you may be entitled to, including assistance, clothing, etc. you may call Lisa Gonzalez Welch at the Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce at 978-686-0900. 

 

Thanks,

Janet

Disaster Releif - Please take advantage of this

Information below on Disaster Relief Inc. 

 

Please, many of you are not taking advantage of the relief services available.  You are entitled to this, much of it is government grant funded, you pay taxes, you work, don't take a hit when there is help available.  Don't wait for FEMA to sign up and take things from these programs.

 

The information below was provided by our Board of Health Agent Martin Fair.  Mary Prenney of the Senior Center in North Reading is available to coordinate any rides or information, for all - not just seniors. Her number is below.

 

NORTH READING FLOOD VICTIMS:  DISASTER RELIEF INC. IS AVAILABLE AT THE MELROSE CHURCH OF CHRIST, 409 UPHAM STREET, MELROSE, MA 781-665-7877, OPEN TIL 7PM

 

FOOD BOXES, INFANT CARE BOXES, PERSONAL CARE BOXES, CLEANING MATERIALS, BOTTLED WATER, BLANKETS.

 

POSSIBLE REPLACEMENT OF WASHERS, DRYERS, AND REFRIGERATORS.

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL NORTH READING SENIOR CENTER AT 978-664-5600 AND SPEAK WITH MARY PRENNEY.

 

PLEASE PRINT AND PASS ON TO NEIGHBORS NOT ON THE EMAIL LIST.

 

Thanks,

Janet

 

PS - Water levels dropping still, Burroughs Road now open, the portion of Burroughs between Lakeside and Poplar is still closed.  We have not heard about buses resuming yet.  The problem is this section of Burroughs. If busses cannot make the loop, they must back up and turn around at Fieldcrest. Please be patient, there are often other decisions involved in these matters. Also, as many of you begin to deal with flood insurance adjusters, you may want to hire your own priva te adjuster to fight for your claim.  Look in the yellow pages under Public Adjusters, here's a few names I found:

 

Depiano Todisco

877-665-6888

Lucas & Assoc

800-852-8041

Alan Venus

800-696-3036

Also, for cleanup services

http://www.rainbowintl.com/NorthReading/about/request.aspx

or

http://www.servicemasterclean.com/

 

both these sites have facts, questions, advice, etc.

 

Update Sat 9AM 5/20

Water levels down to 78feet 1 inch.  down 3.5 inches from yesterday.

 

FEMA and MEMA toured the neighborhood yesterday with the Fire Chief, Town Manager, and Assessor.

 

Thanks you those of you who spoke to them, and thank you Ken for your report.  It was important that they see the faces connected with this loss and you all did that.

 

I gave both of them CD's of all the pictures you all have sent me.  I also gave copies to Dave Hanlon, the Transcript, Brad Jones and Bruce Tarr.  Brad Jones and DPW are pushing the Route 62 issue.  Just a note, it was Brad who got those barrels removed on Rt 28.

 

As I mentioned before Trash pick up will take place tuesday.  Please no trash in barrels, bag it up so they can get this done easily and hold on to your recycling.

 

Thanks,

Janet

update 8am friday

Waters have receded to 78feet 4.5 inches, or 78.375 feet above sea level.

 

Yesterday at this time water levels were at 78 feet 8.5 inches or 78.71 feet above sea level.

 

We've dropped 4 inches in 24 hours.

 

FEMA and MEMA are visiting our neighborhood late AM early PM with the Fire Chief.  Some of you have responded that you will be there for them to come in and I'm giving them your names and addresses.  Please try to be at your home to show them in.  They are going to North Andover first, then here.  I'd expect they will be here within the 11-2 timeframe.

 

Even if you did not respond, but have damage, be on the lookout for them.  They are just doing an overview, but will enter some homes.

Flood update 7AM thursday 5/18

Water level dropped since yesterday to 78feet, 8.5 inches, or for you decimal people, 78.71 feet above sea level.  We are still above our last highest flood, and water is receding very slowly, 2+ inches a day.  With 4 feet to go to get back to normal this is slow.  I visited the bridge at Rt 62 several times this week.  As predicted the water is held up there about 3 feet easy.

 

I'm dropping off many of the great photos you all submitted to me at the Transcript for next week's edition.  This week may not have a lot from Martins Pond, but don't worry, it's coming...

 

Thank you,

Janet Nicosia

Co-Chair

Martins Pond Association

Martins Pond Reclamation Study Committee

www.martinspond.org

Water levels dropping

Water levels in the wetlands across from my house dropped a bit overnight.  We are now just under 79 feet above sea level.  I'd call it 78.95.  That is a drop of about 2 inches since yesterday.

 

We will have a slower recession that the rest of town, unfortunately, due to the bridge in Wilmington at Route 62 which does not allow water under it fast enough, and is not low enough for the water to overtop the roadway.  Looking at it yesterday, I'd estimate the upstream side is about 2-3 feet higher than the downstream, with water blasting through.

FIRE DEPT SHUTTLE TO SUPERMARKET

Good Morning -

The North Reading Firefighters will be shuttling residents of the Martin’s Pond area from Lakeside Blvd and Poplar Terrace at 10:30.  You will be transported by the firefighters to the corner of Old Andover and Burroughs Road from there the senior van will transport you to the supermarket.

 

Helen Gray

North Reading Fire Department

(978) 664-5400

Water Crested, Routes to School

Water level across from my house in the swamp at Burroughs is down one inch from last night, down to 79 foot, 2 inches, or 79.16.  Checked again at 11AM, same.

 

Latest rainfall data:

5-9  0.52 inches
5-10 0.63 inches
5-11 0.03 inches
5-12 0.22 inches
5-13 4.02 inches

5-14 3.40 inches

5-15 0.42 inches'

 

I found no trouble going to the Hood via 125 towards Andover, then right at State Police Station onto Harold Parker Road to end, then right onto Jenkins Road which becomes Haverhill Street when you cross the North Reading line.

FLOOD UPATE MONDAY 9PM

Hi,

 

A few notices before the latest facts:

 

Please no motor boats on the pond. Wakes are very, very damaging right now. Some people's floor boards are only inches away from getting wet. 

 

Please travel slow through puddles. Please take only a RIGHT out onto Route 125.  Those few of you who would rather stop up traffic, ignore the sign and create unneccesary danger rather than drive up 125 a mile - Please change your mind and be courteous starting now.  It is very easy to turn around at the State Police barracks light or the rest area.

 

Thank you to all of you who have followed the rules, been kind to neighbors, offered your homes to evacuated friends, and checked on eachother's property.  Especially those who showed the ropes to our many new neighbors who were shocked by this event.  The good has by far outweighed the bad. 

 

Thank you to the Fire Dept for being constantly visible and helpful, and for the DPW for trying to keep up and keeping the emergency exit in good condition.

 

Now the facts:

 

When I read the gauge today at Lakeside it was at 79.2 feet above sea level.  That is 79feet, 2.4 inches.  So then I hammered in a gauge across from my house on the utility pole and marked feet and inches from 79 to 80.  I didn't feel like converting to decimals so I just used regular inches.  Too tired.  Anyway.  I've been watching this all day.  It has not yet hit 79 feet 3 inches, so water levels have barely moved since about noon.  I will report in the AM what I see then. Hoping for the best.

 

Mrs. Kittredge who has lived on Batchelder Ave for over 70 years reports that this is the worst flood since 1936.  This experience is mirrored all around this part of the state. 

 

If you feel you are eligible for flood assistance, or if you are wondering, call FEMA at 1-800-621-FEMA or look on the web at http://www.fema.gov/news/disasters_state.fema?id=25

 

Below is the link to MEMA

 

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=eopsagencylanding&L=3&L0=Home&L1=Public+Safety+Agencies&L2=Massachusetts+Emergency+Management+Agency&sid=Eeops

 

Remember you must bring your kids to and from school.

 

Best regards,

Janet Nicosia

FLOOD UPDATE 9PM SUNDAY

Burroughs Road will be closed soon. Rt 28 is closed at the Andover line. School bus service has been cancelled for Martins Pond area buses 2,9,11 and vans. You must bring your children to and from the schools. Please tune in to local radio and TV channels tomorrow for possible school closings.

This is a horrendous storm. Many people have been forced to evacuate and many, many homes are flooded all over North Reading. People who never got water before have full basements. Many who tried to sand-bag are having a hard time keeping up.

Right now the pond is at 77.9 feet above sea level. The last major flooding for which we have any numbers for, we estimate waters rose to 78.6. Waters may rise for several days more.

Thank you to all of you who have helped your neighbors, to our great DPW who has done their best to help people, fire dept, Reading Light, and many others.

Once the roadway in front of the pumping station on Lakeside is impassable, the only way out for those of you on Lakeside Boulevard, will be up and over Poplar Terrace, down Old Andover,to the Rt125 access. Please take a right onto rt 125 to avoid collisions.  Stay safe.

Pray for sun,

Janet

THE MOTHER'S DAY FLOOD OF 2006

Well, we are definitely flooding, and it's a big one.

 

You may remember I quoted 77 as the elevation at which roads flood.  As of 8AM today 5/14 Martins Pond is at 76.85.  Burroughs Road is flooded but passable near the Lakeside intersection.  Several homes at the end of Poplar Terrace on the water are completely surrounded by water.  Water has not yet overtopped Lakeside at the Pumping Station or at the Bridge on Burroughs.  Paul Cameron is out sand-bagging. DPW is getting ready to close the road when needed.  It's real.

 

Our arch nemesis, the bridge on Rt 62 in Wilmington is beginning to back up flow as it does in flood events.  As of 8AM elevation upstream of the bridge was 75.6, this is higher than the bridge's culvert opening.  Water levels on the downstream side of the bridge are at about 74.5 but hard to tell since the weirs cannot be seen. 

 

Elevation at Lakeside is 76.5, but will catch up to Martins Pond very soon.

 

Please be courteous of your neighbors and don't splash through deep waters.  Just because your vehicle may have high clearance, the neighbor's doorway may not.  And again, ONLY TURN RIGHT ONTO 125!!!

 

Thanks,
Janet