Evacuation orders lifted for Leominster residents near Barrett Park Pond Dam amid flooding
LEOMINSTER – Evacuation orders have been lifted in Leominster for people who live in several neighborhoods near the Barrett Park Pond Dam amid significant flooding.
"As of right now people are allowed back in their homes, the evacuations have been lifted, unless deemed unsafe already," the city's website stated.
Leominster is under a state of emergency due to "catastrophic floods" across the city. Cars were stuck in flood waters Monday night, water rushed through backyards, and some residents were stuck at home due to rising waters.
Earlier on Tuesday, the City of Leominster issued a message to people near the compromised Barrett Park Pond Dam.
Due to a potential issue at the Barrett Park Pond Dam, as a precautionary measure, persons in low lying areas of the Fall Broom tributary to Fall Brook along Central Street, Fall Brook, and the North Nashua River in Leominster, should immediately evacuate and safely leave the area. City shelter available at Sky View Middle School. If you need transportation, call 911.
As soon as emergency management officials told evacuated residents it was safe to return, Ron and Cindy Duval were happy to start cleaning up the soggy belongings in their Leominster home. They spent the night in a shelter at a local school. "They told us that we had to get out to the raft and walk through water...and then we kind of dumped ourselves into the raft," said Ron Duval.
Once they had dried off, they learned about another threat upstream from where they live. A wall on the Barrett Park Pond Dam washed away in Monday night's heavy rain, leaving a huge crater in the ground, and sending water gushing down to Pleasant Street. It essentially blew up the pavement, leaving the foundation under one home completely exposed.
Keith McHugh lives right on the corner, an area officials said could be vulnerable if the rest of that dam gives way. "It's definitely something to pay attention to. I work from home part of the time so I can get a gauge of what's going on, but if I hear anything about evacuating, I'm going to be gone," he said.
As crews worked to back-fill the dam with rocks Tuesday, officials lifted the evacuation order downstream in low-lying areas along Central Street.
"The water would run into Fall Brook, and possibly have another inch, to two inches of rain," said Ron Duval, concerned about more uncertain weather in the forecast in the days ahead. "I think that puts an urgency to the work that's being done today," said Nancy Seguin. "Knowing that the streets may flood again."
The Barrett Park Pond Dam has been a concern for years. Leominster Mayor Dean Mazzarella said it was scheduled for repairs to begin shortly.
People who live in the area of Route 117 near Fall Brook said there is significant damage to homes.
"Took the foundations right from underneath the houses. The cars and the garage almost went into the brook. It's just like a disaster area down there," one man said in the area of Pennacook Drive near the Nashua River.
"Down there the cars are sideways in driveways, foundations are knocked down, it's crazy. There's sink holes," another woman said, adding that several homes had to be evacuated.
An emergency shelter is being operated at Frances Drake Elementary School. As of Tuesday morning, about 50 people are at the shelter. A shelter is also in place at Sky View Middle School.
Ginny's Helping Hand food pantry is accepting donations of food, personal items and clothing to help people affected by the floods. Donations can be dropped off at 52 Mechanic Street in Leominster.
The Leominster Relief Fund will directly support residents affected by the floods. Checks can be made out to the Leominster Relief Fund and mailed to the mayor's office at 25 West St, Leominster, MA 01453.