Massachusetts Delegation Urges Federal Flood Aid
WASHINGTON, Oct. 18-As flood waters continued to pressure the Whittenton Pond Dam in Taunton on Tuesday, Massachusetts’ congressmen urged the federal government to take action in the rain-soaked region.
“This is an emergency situation, and Massachusetts communities urgently need federal disaster funds to rebuild homes, businesses and public roads and buildings,” Senator Edward Kennedy said in a statement Tuesday. “The damages are escalating with each day.”
Nearly 2,000 people were evacuated from Taunton on Monday when the dam began to show signs of potential collapse.
Rep. Barney Frank offered Taunton mayor Robert G. Nunes any assistance he could provide.
“You tell me what you want the federal government to do and we’ll do it,” Frank recalled telling the mayor.
Frank’s office researched potential federal funds available to help repair the weakened dam.
A Frank aide contacted the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, which provides emergency funds for dam rehabilitation and repair when there is substantial risk to life or property.
Two engineers and a geologist from the agency’s Massachusetts office inspected the dam on Tuesday afternoon, in consultation with a private engineer hired by the dam’s owner and representatives from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency.
The inspectors had not yet filed reports, but Frank’s staff believes that the dam would likely be eligible for funds. A final eligibility decision will come from the Agriculture Department in Washington.
“The federal government should be prepared to provide whatever resources and assistance necessary to protect the people and property of Taunton,” Sen. John Kerry said in a press release on Tuesday. “With the devastating floods in Massachusetts this past week and the developing situation in Taunton we must have the ability to act quickly to assist our communities in need.”
Disaster assessment teams representing federal and state emergency management agencies, the Small Business Administration, the Massachusetts Highway Department and the Red Cross are currently evaluating the damage the recent rain has caused to the Commonwealth, said Peter Judge, spokesman for the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency.
To qualify for federal aid, the state must meet a minimum threshold of approximately $6.5 million in damages, Judge said.
“We feel pretty comfortable that we are going to get [aid] out of this,” Judge said. “Within the very near future we’ll find out where we stand.”
