flooding

Flooding Alert: LONG DURATION COASTAL STORM THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY BRINGS POWER OUTAGES Gloucester Emergency Alert

~ Chris Sicuranza

Gloucester Emergency Alert

LONG DURATION COASTAL STORM THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY

(Issued 3/1/2018 6 PM) Tides will be astronomically high from Thursday night (3/1/2018) through all of Saturday (3/3/2018) with a coastal storm and storm surge increasing coastal flooding and property damage. Power outages, road closures, and other emergency incidents are expected in the next 24 to 48 hours and we strongly recommend all citizens to prepare accordingly.

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Additionally, we caution all citizens who are in low lying areas that are prone to flooding to be aware and prepare accordingly. Any home or business that was previously affected by recent storms and flooding should especially take caution.

Coastal properties facing East, NorthEast may be severely affected by the predicted storm surge and significant wave action.

Precautionary measures should be taken immediately to best prepare, including voluntary evacuation prior to the storm. All residents should avoid these areas, as well as avoiding driving through any flooded areas.

Strong winds may cause power outages and we are asking citizens to shelter in place. If your home is being flooded or if you are in danger, call 911 for immediate assistance. Emergency teams are prepared to assist anyone in need so call 911 right away.

Roads may be slick in areas, so we remind all to take caution if driving. Roadways most prone to splash-over at astronomically high tides will be at greatest risk of inundation.

Updates will be forthcoming and will be shared on the City of Gloucester website and social media pages so please visit http://www.gloucester-ma.gov. Thank you for your assistance and please use 911 for any flooding or emergency needs.

POWER OUTAGES

National Grid has been preparing for power outages in different areas across the North Shore, including Gloucester. If any outages do occur in your area, it is imperative that they be reported via the National Grid Customer Service or Outage Reporting phone lines as listed below. Every outage phone call that we receive is logged into our outage tracking system and better enables us to pinpoint the location of the issue. The sooner National Grid can identify the location of the issue, the quicker a response can be sent.

  • The Customer Service Line is: 1-800-322-3223
  • The Outage Reporting Line is: 1-800-465-1212

REMINDERS/ SAFETY INFORMATION

MASSACHUSETTS EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY SITUATIONAL AWARENESS STATEMENT

Latest weather and emergency reports can be seen using the following links and resource lines:

Mayoral Memo: Snow Emergency Updates & Flood Assistance Exploration

~ Chris Sicuranza

1/8/2018 – Last week’s snowstorm and accompanying storm surge was an unfortunate act of nature that resulted in widespread damage throughout Gloucester. This City, like others, requires that residents remove their cars from public streets prior to any storm or snow emergency for safety reasons.

For decades, recognizing that many residents do not have private off street parking, the City has offered off-street parking on public property much like we did last week at Gloucester High School. These offers were strictly optional and residents were free to make other arrangements.

Having said that, my administration recognizes that many are in need of assistance as a result of the damage caused by last week’s storm—specifically those who lost their cars due to the flooding of the High School parking lot. As a result, we will be taking the following actions:

• We have contacted the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency and are working with them as they collect public damage information from all of the communities impacted in order to determine whether to request a presidential disaster declaration. While the probability of meeting the threshold for state or federal monetary reimbursement are low, a presidential declaration is necessary to lend direct assistance to the private sector;

• The City is willing to work with those who do not have comprehensive insurance to make arrangements for towing, storage and/or disposal of damaged cars; and

• My administration has reached out to several local/regional car dealerships and they have expressed a willingness to work with those negatively affected by last week’s flooding. Their name and contact information is as follows:

o Sudbay Family Automotive
– Kevin Barkhouse, Sales Manager
– 978-283-4730

o Lyon-Waugh Auto Group
– Warren Waugh, Owner/General Manager
– 978-532-8312

o Michaud Auto Group
– Kevin Michaud, Owner, or Zach Michaud, CEO
– 978-774-4040

o Village Auto Group
– Emilio LoCilento, General Sales Manager
– 978-624-4461

We will keep everyone updated as we find out more information, but please contact your insurance company and work with your Councilors and the Mayor’s Office to see how we can best assist.

Thank you,
Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken