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Consolidated Disaster Assistance Information for the 5/15/2006 Flood

This information is constantly changing as updates are made available; this update is as of 6/08/06 @ 3:00pm.


IMPORTANT UPDATES:

  • A Presidential Disaster Declaration and Relief for Flood Victims was announced on 5/25/06 - The announcement includes information on what type of assistance is available and how to apply for it!

  • The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in conjunction with the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) has established  several Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC), including one in Lowell.  The DRC is intended to provide a "one-stop" location for federal, state, and charitable services available to the flood victims to learn about various relief programs and what assistance is available.  The DRC will be open for the period beginning Thursday, 5/25, and ending on Friday, 6/16 (extended from Thursday, 6/8).  Anyone that has suffered loses or damages as a result of the storms may to to the DRC to follow up on their registration.  Those affected by the disaster are urged to register for assistance first by calling toll-free 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7587 (TTY) for hearing and speech impaired.  Registration can also be done online at www.fema.gov/assistance.  Those who have questions may visit the DRC to meet with recovery specialists in person.
  • After 6/15, please refer to the Presidential Disaster Declaration announcement for information on how to apply for assistance.

    • FEMA/MEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) - UMass Lowell Location
      Located @ Olney Hall, 265 Riverside Street
      (other locations are listed here)
      Open Monday - Saturday, 8am - 8pm
      ** Closing on 6/15/06 **

      • Federal Agencies at the DRC include:
        • Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
        • Social Security Administration
        • Small Business Administration
        • Internal Revenue Service
        • Veterans Affairs
      • State Agencies at the DRC include:
        • Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA)
        • Department of Transitional Assistance
        • Department of Elder Affairs
        • Division of Unemployment Assistance
        • Department of Veterans Services
        • Department of Mental Health
        • Department of Public Health
        • Department of Revenue
        • Division of Insurance
        • Massachusetts Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster

  • The City of Lowell has established the following site to help with flood assistance information.  City Police, Fire, and appropriate Inspection personnel are available at the  site to try to help you with flood assistance information as it becomes available.

  • ** CLOSED as of Wednesday, 6/7/06 **
    City Flood Information Assistance Site - UMass Lowell Location
    City of Lowell's Police Department Operations Van
    City of Lowell's Emergency Operations Vehicles
    Located @ the UMass Lowell parking lot (North Campus) on the corner of Sparks and Martin Street, near the football field
    Questions? Call the City's Neighborhood Services Department at (978) 970-4052 or (978) 446-7243.





Important Information to help you...

...Meet your critical needs:
   
   
         
...Make your home livable:
   
   
       
   
         
...Get your business back up and running:
     
         
...Contact Emergency Organizations or Services:
     
         




  • Food Assistance

    • The Salvation Army @ 978-458-3396 x225 (on 150 Appleton St), is open Wednesday - Friday between 9am - 11am (PLEASE CALL AHEAD) to assist you with food. Please make sure to let them know that you are a victim of the recent flooding disaster; note that a valid local ID may be required. If you do not have a valid local ID, please go to the City Flood Information Assistance site for a warm meal.
    • The City Flood Information Assistance Site (see above for location), is serving warm meals (compliments of the Salvation Army) for local residents impacted by the flooding.
    • The Catholic Charities Food Pantry of Merrimack Valley, in the Archdiocese of Boston @ 978-454-9946 (on 760 Merrimack St), is open Monday - Thursday between 1pm - 3:45pm to assist you with food. Please make sure to let them know that you are a victim of the recent flooding disaster; note that a valid local ID may be required.
    • The Merrimack Valley Food Bank Mobil Pantry Program @978-454-7174 (on 735 Broadway St), serves seniors and/or disabled residents who are homebound, with no access to a food pantry (PLEASE CALL AHEAD). Please make sure to let them know that you are a victim of the recent flooding disaster; note that a valid local ID may be required.


  • Clothing Assistance

    • The Lowell Wish Project: Flood Victim Assistance program wants to try and help you and your family! This link takes you to a form you need to fill out and submit. Please make sure to let them know that you are a victim of the recent flooding disaster; note that a valid local ID may be required.
    • The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, in the Archdiocese of Boston @ 978-453-7750 (on 701 Merrimack St), is open Monday - Friday from 9am to 5pm to help with your clothing needs.  Please make sure to let them know that you are a victim of the recent flooding disaster; note that a valid local ID may be required.


  • Shelter/Housing Assistance

    • The Lowell Housing Authority @ 978-937-3500 has a listing of vacant apartments in the area.  A list and applications are being made available to the City Information Assistance Sites (above). Please make sure to let them know that you are a victim of the recent flooding disaster; note that a valid local ID may be required.
    • Community Teamwork @ 978-459-0551 has a listing of vacant apartments in the area.  A list and applications are being made available to the City Information Assistance Sites (above). Please make sure to let them know that you are a victim of the recent flooding disaster; note that a valid local ID may be required.
    • Princeton Poperties @ 978-458-8700 has lowered their rents for flood victims at Jaycee Place on Bowers Street.  Apartments are available at both, the Jaycee Place and River Place Towers apartments.  A list and applications are being made available to the City Information Assistance Sites (above). Please make sure to let them know that you are a victim of the recent flooding disaster; note that a valid local ID may be required.
    • Other landlords with potentially available property include:

  • Health/Medical Assistance

    • The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has very good information on protecting your personal health and safety during a flood and its aftermath that everyone should revew!
    • MassMedLine @ 866-633-1617 is available Monday - Friday from 8am to 6pm with specialists who can be a resource for you.  Please make sure to let them know that you are a victim of the recent flooding disaster; note that a valid local ID may be required.
    • Partnership for Prescription Assistance @ 888-477-2669 is a program that brings together America's pharmaceutical companies, doctors, other health care providers, patient advocacy organizations and community groups to help  qualifying patients get medicines they need through the public or private program that's right for them.  The site offers a single point of access to more than 475 public and private patient assistance programs.  Please make sure to let them know that you are a victim of the recent flooding disaster; note that a valid local ID may be required.


  • Legal Assistance

    • Merrimack Valley Legal Services @ 978-458-1465 or 800-336-2262 is a legal aid program which provides free legal advice and representation to residents of Essex and Middlesex counties.  Please make sure to let them know that you are a victim of the recent flooding disaster; note that a valid local ID may be required.


  • Dealing with Mold and Removing it from Your Home

  • Disposal of Waste and Debris

  • Building Related Issues

    Your building may require flood-related repairs.

    Additional Building Related Questions?

    • The City of Lowell's Inspectional Services Department can be contacted at 978-970-4036.


  • Electrical Related Issues

    Your electrical meter may need to be re-energized due to the storm.
    • This must be performed by a licensed Electrician with a valid Massachusetts Electrical License; note that the electrician must also have a valid Certificate of Insurance on file with the City of Lowell's Electrical Department at the Department of Public Works. 

    • Please follow these steps:
      1. Your licensed electrician must fill out and submit an Application for a Permit to Perform Electrical Work.  A completed form should be submitted to either the City of Lowell's Electrical Department at the Department of Public Works at 1365 Middlesex Street, Lowell, MA 01851, or to any of the sites listed above for flood information.
      2. The Electrical Department will then schedule the electrical meter for inspection by a City Electrical Inspector.
      3. Following inspection, the City's Electrical Department will call the electrical meter in to National Grid to be reconnected.
      4. If there is a problem the Licensed Electrician will be contacted directly.
      5. The Licensed Electrician's Certificate of Insurance MUST be on file with the City of Lowell's Electrical Department.

    Additional Electrical Related Questions?

    • The City of Lowell's Inspectional Services Department can be contacted at 978-970-4036.
    • The City of Lowell's Electrical Department can be contacted at 978-970-4098.
    • The local electrical utility National Grid can be contacted at 1-800-465-1212 for electricity related questions


  • Gas Related Issues

    Your gas may need to be turned back on.
    • If you work or live in an area affected by the flood, the gas feed to your building or home may have been turned off, and need reactivation..

    • This work must be performed by a licensed plumber or gas fitter with a valid Massachusetts License (either a Master, Journeyman, or Apprentice License for plumbing, or a Gas Fitter License for a gas fitter); note that the plumber and/or gas fitter must also have a valid Certificate of Insurance on file with the City of Lowell's Inspectional Services Department at City Hall.

    • If the gas connection is to an appliance (e.g., stove, dryer, etc.), the appliance must be tested by an authorized technician for that appliance to ensure that it is safe to be connected to the gas utility.  The technician must then inform the City's Gas Inspector (and may be requested to provide written proof) that the unit is safe to turn the gas back on.

    • Please follow these steps:
      1. Your licensed plumber or gas fitter must apply for and submit a Massachusetts Uniform Application For Permit To Do Gasfitting  for every unit that is to be reactivated.  A completed form should be submitted to either the City of Lowell's Inspectional Services Department at City Hall, or to any of the sites listed above for flood information.
      2. Every unit must be individually tested & reactivated by the licensed plumber or gas fitter.
      3. The City of Lowell's Gas Inspector will issue a Gas Tag to each unit upon the completion of testing by the licensed plumber or gas fitter.

    Additional Gas Related Questions?

    • The City of Lowell's Inspectional Services Department can be contacted at 978-970-4036.
    • The local gas utility KeySpan can be contacted at 1-800-548-8000 for gas related questions


  • The Small Business Administration

  • Business Tax Filing Deadline Extended