While many in the Merrimack Valley have been able to return home after the terrible gas explosions of last week, many have not. As we know many insurance agents are already out their helping their insureds, the following are just a few resources and offers we came across and thought might be useful to share with any of your insureds affected by the tragedy.
Resources For Residents From The Governor’s Office
This is a list of resources for affected residents from Governor Baker’s website. CBS Boston also reported this week that Governor Baker will be setting up a new Relief Fund For Merrimack Valley Gas Explosion Victims by the week’s end.
How to get information?
For emergencies, call 9-1-1.
Columbia Gas of Massachusetts
- Property Claims Hotline – 1-800-590-5571
- Dedicated Customer Service – 1-866-388-3239
- Gas Emergency – 1-800-525-8222
Municipal Contact Information:
- City of Lawrence
- Town of Andover
- Town of North Andover
Mass211 – If you need non-emergency assistance or information, call 2-1-1.
Safety Tips for Returning to an Affected Property
- Even if your house is deemed safe to return, your gas and electrical services may not be restored yet.
- When residents return to their homes, they are asked to be vigilant. If you smell gas or smoke, notice damage to gas appliances, or other potential emergency situations, step outside and call 9-1-1. Ensure your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are working.
- Do not attempt to use any gas appliances until gas service has been safely restored by the gas company.
- If your gas meter has been shut off by either the gas company or you, DO NOT attempt to turn your service back on yourself. Please contact the gas company for assistance; they will send a technician to turn it back on.
- If you smell an odor of natural gas,
- Leave the building immediately and move to a safe location
- Call 911 from outside the building and call the Columbia Gas emergency number at 1-800-525-8222.
- Do not turn off gas to your house or to any appliances.
- Do not try to find the leak yourself or operate pipeline valves.
- Do not touch light switches or use any appliances that could cause a spark, including telephones.
- Do not light matches or candles.
Recovery Resource Center
A Recovery Resource Center (RRC) will open today at the Arlington Middle School, located at 150 Arlington St, Lawrence. This center will be collocated with the existing emergency shelter at this location. The Recovery Resource Center will be staffed by representatives of key local and state agencies and will provide services and programs to meet the needs of residents of Lawrence, Andover, and North Andover who were impacted by Thursday’s Columbia Gas line incident. The RRC will be open Sunday, September 16, 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM and Monday, September 17, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Here is an update on the location of today’s Recovery Center from Twitter:
Tips from The Division of Insurance
Insurance Tips
Damage resulting from explosions or fires caused by a gas leak would generally be covered under standard homeowners or renters policies, but consumers should contact their insurance company or agent to discuss their particular circumstances. The Division of Insurance is also available to assist consumers. Impacted homeowners and renters can call the Consumer Hotline at (617) 521-7794 or (877) 563-4467 (Toll Free) with any questions.
Tips for Impacted Consumers
The Division advises consumers to review their insurance policies and know their responsibilities in the event they need to file an insurance claim. Consumers should do the following:
- Report claims to your insurance company as soon as possible. Independent insurance agents should be notified of any claims as well.
- Protect any damaged property to the extent you can to prevent further damage and salvage what you can.
- Note and photograph all damage and losses. Back-up your claim with written estimates. This will assist in settling claims.
- If temporary housing is necessary, check your policy for Loss of Use coverage.
- Your policy may cover such expenses up to a stated amount.
- More information, including frequently asked questions following a disaster, is available on the DOI website: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/disaster-information
Free Counseling from the Department of Veteran Affairs
The Department of Veteran’s Affairs Mobile Unit will be offering free counseling today from 6AM until Midnight tonight according to the Massachusetts Secretary of Veterans’ Services Twitter feed:
Tower Hill Botanic Garden is offering free admission to anyone from Lawrence, Andover & North Andover
U-Haul Offers Free Self-Storage after Merrimack Valley Gas Explosions
Three U-Haul Companies in Massachusetts and New Hampshire are offering 30 days of free self-storage and U-Box container usage to victims and families affected by the Merrimack Valley gas explosions on Thursday night.
A series of gas explosions killed a teenager and injured at least 10 other people. Multiple communities north of Boston were forced to evacuate.
“We want to extend our thoughts and prayers to the victims and their families,” said Scott Chase, U-Haul Company of Eastern Massachusetts president. “This region suffered a gas line failure resulting in over 40 home explosions and fires. U-Haul is here to support this community in any way possible.”
U-Haul Companies of Boston, Eastern Massachusetts and New Hampshire have made five facilities across five cities available for the 30 days free disaster relief assistance program. Families needing more information about the program should contact the nearest participating U-Haul facility:
U-Haul Moving & Storage of Danvers
179 Newbury St.
Danvers, MA 01923
(978) 739-4368
U-Haul Moving & Storage of Salisbury
6 Merrill St., Suite #15
Salisbury, MA 01952
(978) 462-3058
U-Haul Moving & Storage of Woburn-Route 128
31 Olympia Ave.
Woburn, MA 01801
(339) 227-6704
U-Haul Moving & Storage at S. Willow
515 S, Willow St.
Manchester, NH 03103
(603) 668-1762
U-Haul Moving & Storage at Pheasant Lane Mall
286 Daniel Webster Hwy.
Nashua, NH 03060
(603) 888-5371
Other Ways Anyone Can Help
The following a list of charities from Governor Baker’s website where donations can be made to help the effort to aid affected residents:
- American Red Cross – To donate, call 1-800-RED-CROSS or visit https://redcross.org/donate. To volunteer, visit https://redcross.org/volunteer.
- MSPCA – The MSPCA’s Nevins Farm has been providing for displaced animals. Donations accepted at https://www.mspca.org/adoption-centers/nevins-farm-adoption-center/.
- Lawrence Senior Center (155 Haverhill St.)
- Donations of non-perishable foods, including: fresh and dried fruits, granola bars, small juice boxes, animal crackers, food for infants, nuts and trail mixes, applesauce, pudding, etc.
- Hand sanitizers, alcohol pads, socks, underwear for kids and adults, blankets, toiletries, feminine products, toilet paper, towels
- Essex County Community Fund – A Lawrence Emergency Fund has been created for those affected by the explosions and fires. Donate at https://eccf.org/lawrenceemergencyfund or call 978-777-8876.
- Greater Lawrence Relief Fund has been set up to help families meet their basic needs and recover from the displacement from their homes and businesses caused by gas explosions. To donate: https://unitedwayconnect.org/comm/SinglePageRegPledge.jsp?EnvelopeKeyHex=684A44695159602D36244E5432736330283F67407E3E&DA=13316393