PM Update: Efforts to assist tornado damaged towns
EKelly | Monday, June 20th, 2011 | No Comments »PM E-Alert:
Update on efforts to assist tornado damaged communities in western and central Massachusetts.
On Wednesday June 1, several communities in Western and Central Massachusetts were hard hit by tornadoes. Many towns, including Monson and Springfield, sustained incredible structural damage, including many historic resources, structures and landscapes.
Preservation Massachusetts convened our statewide preservation coalition and a group of state and federal agencies on a conference call to discuss how to aid these affected communities in relief efforts. It was clear that there is a great need to assess the extent of damage to their historic resources and slowing down the rush to demolish damaged buildings.
Preservation Massachusetts has committed to assisting these communities however best we can and here is an update of our activities and progress to date.
Our Western Massachusetts Circuit Rider, Michele Barker, has been extremely active, contacting historic commissions and other groups and organizations in affected towns, and touring damaged communities to get an idea of damage extent. She has also been extremely busy utilizing her local contacts to find point people to assist with volunteer efforts and find out where the greatest need for assistance is and identifying where PM and other resources, tools can be of use now and in coming weeks and months. If you are in an affected community and need support for historic resources, contact Michele via email! (mpbarker@preservationmass.org)
PM has placed a “Call for Volunteers” to aid in assessing damage to historic resources in the affected communities that will be useful to state and federal agencies as they organize aid and on the ground efforts. The response was incredible, over 80 professionals, from all over New England offered their assistance! PM is working hard on logistics to get these great volunteers in the field by next week! If you are willing to volunteer or want to help, contact Erin Kelly via email! (ekelly@preservationmass.org)
PM President Jim Igoe, Assistant Director Erin Kelly, along with representatives from the Massachusetts Historical Commission and the National Trust for Historic Preservation visited Monson and Springfield, two of the hardest hit communities on June 13. See pictures of the damage on our Flickr site!
PM will utilize our website and Facebook page as a platform for information sharing, valuable links, tools and ways you can help. Be sure to check them out!
On Wednesday, June 15 President Obama declared a disaster in Massachusetts, allowing FEMA and other federal aid to begin flowing into these damaged communities. PM will assist in serving as a conduit of information for the affected communities and others as it becomes available to us. Be sure to check our website and e-news blasts!
Preservation is not just about buildings; it is about community and it is about people. We are committed to helping as much as we can to bring resources and assistance to the people of these towns to help them restore, rehabilitate and rebuild their communities and historic resources!
Preservation Massachusetts will continue to work collaboratively with our preservation partners across the state, the local communities and the many state and federal agencies that are mobilized across the affected area. If you have any questions, concerns or would like more information, please contact our office at 617-723-3383.
Related posts:
- Call for Volunteers! Assistance for Tornado Affected Towns
- View photos taken by Preservation Massachusetts as we toured towns badly damaged by the June 1st tornadoes.
- Springfield Republican: PM’s new list of most-endangered historic properties to focus on tornado-damaged communities
- Mass. Most Endangered – Special edition to focus on tornado affected communities
- Tornado Damaged Resources on PM’s Most Endangered List