By Paul Tuthill
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Springfield, MA –
The slow cleanup and recovery process continues in the areas of Massachusetts hit by last week's tornadoes. Teams of damage assessment specialists will be in the field today to document the state's request for a federal disaster declaration. WAMC's Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Paul Tuthill reports.
Walking through the ravaged East Forest Park neighborhood in Springfield Sunday night, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick counseled patience as the clean up from the tornadoes five days ago continues. Jennifer Ross and her husband are determined to repair the damage to their home. A tree crashed through the roof and the house shifted on its foundation.
Volunteers have streamed in to help with the clean-up , and Mary Huntley, another East Forest Park resident whose home was damaged, says neighbors have been helping neighbors.
The Red Cross and Salavation Army went door-to-door over the weekend in many of the communities hit by the tornadoes passing out food and water. The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts is making emergency food distributions in Springfield. Numerous organizations have announced drives to raise money and collect supplies.
Christina Bracci, her son and daughter, took it upon themselves to bring sandwiches, cookies, chips and water to the people laboring on the clean up.
260 people spent last night in an emergency shelter in Springfield's convention center, according to a Red Cross spokesperson. Robert Beech's rented house in Springfield's South End collapsed during the tornado leaving him and his wife homeless. He says he's not sure where they'll go.
State officials don't know how many houses and other buildings were damaged or destroyed by last week's tornadoes Nine teams of damage assessment specialists are in the field now. Peter Judge of the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency says they'll collect data to support the state's request for federal financial assistance.
Judge said people are encouraged to call 2-1-1 to provide descriptions of the damage to their property.
The state has emergency assistance centers in Springfield and two other locations.
Western Massachusetts Electric said power was restored to all of Springfield over the weekend. Springfield Public Schools reopened Monday. Students from two badly damaged elementary schools are finishing out the school year in other buildings.