Massive Sinkhole Opens Up in Leominster During Flash Flood Emergency
LEOMINSTER, Mass. – Public works and utility crews are closely monitoring a massive sinkhole that appeared during a flash flood emergency in central Massachusetts. The sinkhole, approximately 15 feet deep, remains on Pleasant Street near the intersection of Colburn Street.
Concerns arose that the rushing water during the flash flood washed out the ground underneath the roadway, sidewalk, and a significant portion of the front yard at 208 Pleasant St., posing a threat to the foundation of the home. As a result, the couple residing in the house was forced to evacuate on Monday night.
Andre Obin, the son of the homeowners, Arthur and Joanne, revealed that a neighbor warned them just in time to move their car out of the driveway before their front yard collapsed. “He let them know it was time to go, and they got out just in time,” Obin said. “Basically, we’re just lucky it didn’t happen overnight while they were sleeping.”
Area residents informed NewsCenter 5 that the water running underneath that section of Pleasant Street is a culvert originating from the pond at Barrett Park, which became heavily saturated due to the continuous rainfall. Fortunately, the pond’s dam has been stabilized after concerns arose that it could potentially collapse.
Witnesses in the neighborhood expressed shock at the extensive damage caused by the torrential rain that fell for four hours on Monday night. Leominster resident Nick Morrell described the situation as “absolutely horrible,” as the road completely collapsed and continued to worsen. Another resident, Sharon Testa, who has lived in the area for six years, stated, “I’ve never seen anything like this. Not during the ice storm. Nothing, nothing like this, ever.” Testa expressed concern about insurance coverage for the affected homeowners, as the area is not considered a flood zone.
In response to the devastating situation, Andre Obin created a GoFundMe page for his parents, who are uncertain if insurance will cover the damages to their house. “We are assuming the house is going to be condemned,” he said. “The fact that they’re safe and we have a chance to move on, that’s all that matters.”
Leominster Mayor Dean Mazzarella stated that city officials will have a better understanding of the repair timeline for the sinkhole later in the evening. However, he estimated that it would take approximately a week to reopen Pleasant Street to traffic. The sinkhole also poses a risk as gas mains are exposed. National Grid crews will work to secure the gas mains before the Department of Public Works can commence repairs on the roadway.
The sinkhole incident in Leominster highlights the devastating impact of flash floods and emphasizes the need for preventive measures and infrastructure improvements. As the situation unfolds, the community remains hopeful for a swift resolution to restore normalcy to the affected area.
Related coverage:
– Stabilization of Barrett Park Pond Dam after Massachusetts Flooding
– Flood Insurance Information for Massachusetts Residents
Original Story at www.wcvb.com – 2023-09-13 09:14:00
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