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March 15, 2010

WEB UPDATE: Evacuations, roads closed by flooding

By Bethany Bray

Andover crews and emergency personnel are keeping a watchful eye on roads and waterways today, Monday, March 15, after the weekend’s steady rains have caused flooding around town.
The Washington Park condominiums and Marland Place assisted living facility has been evacuated today, Monday, due to its proximity to the swollen Shawsheen River. Also on Monday, a reverse 911 call went out to all Shawsheen River abutters, urging them to evacuate in case of flooding, said Andover Police Lieutenant Harry Collins.
Over the weekend, stretches of the Shawsheen River were measuring above flood levels as more than 8 inches of rain fell on the Merrimack Valley. 


Road closures update at 6 p.m.
As of 6 p.m. on March 15 the following streets have been closed, according to the town:
High Plain Road by Fish Brook 

Canterbury Street at Westminster Road by the Andover Country Club is closed

Route 28 (South Main Street) at the North Reading line, into North Reading, has been closed by Mass Highway

Route 28 (North Main Street) at Shawsheen Plaza

Riverina Road

Kenilworth

Haverhill Street (Route 133) at Shawsheen Square

Woburn Street at Powers Road 


Driving through water
Residential streets bore the evidence of basement sump-pumps working overtime, as tubing stretched from countless homes to driveways and streets, spewing water.
Kevin Hale, highway department general foreman, urged motorists to use common sense and drive around, not through, water on roadways, if possible.
Hale said the highway department had a crew of six working Sunday, and keeping a watchful eye on flooded roads around town.
Closed roads will be reopened as soon as the water recedes, said Hale, but it’s impossible to tell how soon that could be.
“When it (the water) goes down, it goes down,” he said.
“Motorists are advised to travel with caution on Andover Streets Monday, March 15,” read an advisory posted on the town Web site, www.andoverma.gov, Monday morning. “Due to heavy rains, minor flooding is occurring at various spots around town. It is suggested that all drivers reduce their speeds and proceed with caution.”
For photos and additional coverage, see the March 18 print issue of the newspaper.
Have an update or photo of what’s happening in your neighborhood? Send information as text or send a photo as a jpg attachment to an e-mail sent to townsman@andovertownsman.com.

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WEB UPDATE: Evacuations, roads closed by flooding
by By Bethany Bray , , Mon Mar 15, 2010, 01:15 PM EDT
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