Irene's Gusty Winds Damage New Bedford Elderly Housing Complex
NEW BEDFORD (CBS) - Residents at the Olympia Towers elderly housing complex in New Bedford received quite a scare Sunday when winds from Tropical Storm Irene ripped off part of the facade of their building.
The wind gust sent debris and large sheets of insulation flying through the air. Mayor Scott Lang said the gust got under a small piece of the facade, causing a domino effect.
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"Evidently, we had just a small seam of the facade, which is both Styrofoam and stucco, and once one tile went, they all began to rip off," said Mayor Lang.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Kim Tunnicliffe reports.
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Crews had to clean up Purchase Street in front of the building as a result.
"It presents real obstacles for anyone traveling in the street because No. 1, the street now is littered with the debris, and secondly, flying debris is extremely dangerous," said Mayor Lang.
Mayor Lang added that two apartments sustained damage. The residents in those apartments will not be able to return to their home right away.
The rest of the building's 150 residents were evacuated, but many of them will be allowed back into their apartments by Sunday night.
