By Travis Andersen and Sarah Raza
Forecasters maintained flood warnings along the Shawsheen River, in Essex County. Residents and businesses of the Merrimack Valley were working to recover from the punishing rainstorm that had caused flooding earlier in the week.
Flooding on Tuesday severely damaged the Davis & Furber Mills building in North Andover. The space houses over 90 businesses.
Ashley Crowley, a client at Serenity Massage on the second floor of the building said that water began to pour out from a pipe into the hall during a Tuesday morning massage.
Water was soon everywhere in her hallway, office and massage room.
Crowley (33), began moving electronics and other dry goods into the only room which was not damaged, before everyone else evacuated.
Most of the items, including massage tables and office supplys, were damaged. Crowley stated that the carpeting would have to come out and the wall replaced. The plan is to apply for MEMA funds and other grants.
Lawrence and North Andover officials declared emergency states after the storms that caused flash floods across Boston. According to reports, flooding in Lawrence caused “severe property damage”. Melissa Rodrigues is the North Andover town manager and she encouraged local residents to fill out a form to express their concerns.
Minor flooding is possible Thursday in North Andover and Andover. Lawrence also received rain Tuesday.
The National Weather Service issued a warning on Thursday that a flood alert would be in place until the morning of Friday in Rhode Island, “central and east parts” of Massachusetts (including the Cape and Islands), and in Rhode Island.
Forecasters warned that streams could rise up from their banks. Flooding can occur in urban and poor drainage areas.
After opening in January 2020, Gregg Lindsay’s Good Day Cafe, located in the Mill Space, was forced to shut down two months later due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Lindsay reported Tuesday morning that the basement was almost completely submerged by water.
Everyone in the café evacuated as soon as the alarm went off. Lindsay reported that the water level had dropped by Wednesday but, for safety purposes, there was no electricity on Thursday.
He hopes to receive funding from MEMA, or through grants. His wife and he do not intend to take out loans in order to salvage and reopen the business. However, they will do everything they can.
Jaime’s restaurant was also severely damaged within the mill.
Jaime Faria (54), said that water reached up to his waist in the basement on Tuesday.
He claims that the damage to his business was over $120,000, which included $25,000 of lost alcohol. He will know if the appliances work once the power is restored.
Two windows were broken at RMS toys, located near his restaurant. This allowed water to escape. The water was rushing in and he saw the refrigerator floating.
A Brides of America employee, who works in a warehouse for wedding dresses across from the mill, said the damage to the business was estimated at millions of dollars. The worker explained that each dress had to be evaluated individually.
The flood warning covers Massachusetts. The advisory includes communities such as Barre and Fitchburg. It also covers Lowell, Framingham. Milford. Worcester. Foxborough. Norwood. Cambridge. Boston. Taunton. Brockton. Plymouth. Fall River. New Bedford. Mattapoisett. Chatham. Falmouth. Provincetown. Vineyard Haven. Nantucket. Ayer.
Forecasters have reported that flooding has occurred on the Shawsheen River in Andover.
According to the Weather Service, as of Thursday morning at 10:30, the flooding stage was 29,7 feet.
Floodwaters of 30.0 feet inundate business parking lots in Lawrence and North Andover that are located at the lowest level adjacent to the Shawsheen River.
Forecasters warn that drivers and pedestrians alike should exercise caution.
The weather service has advised drivers to avoid driving in flood areas or around barricades. Riverbanks must be avoided.
North Andover, she said, is working with MEMA and the State to get disaster assistance programs. In order to receive this designation, it is important to demonstrate the amount of damage done to the property by residents and business owners.
Seth Moulton visited North Andover on Thursday to brief reporters.
Moulton stated that the effort was a team effort between federal, state and local governments.
Moulton hopes that many people will take up the cause of disaster relief in light of this devastating event. However, it is too soon to predict when such aid may be granted. He said that such disasters occur everywhere and affect “even the climate-deniers” in Congress.
State Representative Adrianne Ramos, and the state Senate Minority leader Bruce Tarr also provided briefings to reporters.
Ramos encouraged people to reach out to authorities if they have any concerns about safety, noting that it is a continuing issue.
Tarr, who was present at Thursday’s clean-up of the mill area, commended the volunteers and workers for their resilience.
Tarr stated, “They promised we’d rebuild.” Tarr said, “Now we’re on our own to do that.”
The mill was emptied of damaged chairs and furniture by workers on Thursday. Dumpsters were stuffed with ruined goods.
Lindsay of Good Day Cafe said, “There’s no question we are going to survive.”
Officials say that storm-water runoff has caused problems on the Merrimack river in Andover.
Andover Health Division reports that wastewater from Lowell Wastewater Treatment Facility has either been partially or untreated. According to the Commonwealth, public contact with the Merrimack should be avoided 48 hours after a sewerage overflow or discharge.
Weather service forecasts rain to continue from Friday morning into Thursday afternoon.
Forecasters have posted on Facebook that a “flood watch” is being issued for Eastern Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and southern New England, where areas received more than 6 inches of rain Tuesday.
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