Day: September 27, 2018
#MVGasFire Update for September 27, 2018
Columbia Gas aims to have service restored in all homes and workplaces by November 19 through a coordinated community-focused approach. The plan is to bring immediate help to people who need it most. Work continues to find creative solutions to restore gas services earlier than November 19. We will provide additional information as it becomes available. If you have any questions or concerns, please call the Affected Customer Helpline – 1-866-388-3239.
Claims Information
Columbia Gas is assisting business owners and families who need shelter, clothing, child care, counseling and a wide range of services. As that process moves forward, residents will also get assistance associated with losses or damages suffered as a result of the incident.
Property claims can be filed over the phone at 1-800-590-5571 or in person at the claims center.
The Center is located at:
First and Main Plaza (the space adjacent to CVS)
115 Main Street
North Andover, MA 01845
Hours:
Tuesday, September 25 – Friday, September 28 from 12:00PM-8:00PM
Saturday, September 29 from 9:00AM-5:00PM.
Gas Customer Assessments/Repairs
In house assessments have been targeted for the streets on the list for September 27-29. If you have been impacted and live on one of these streets, Columbia Gas will contact you to schedule.
September 26: Assessments for damages in impacted residences and workplaces will begin. The assessments will be completed by a team of individuals including utility professionals, plumbers, electricians and inspectors. The assessment team will determine what appliances need to be replaced. The assessment team will also inspect homes to begin necessary repairs to make them safe for gas service restoration and appliance installation. Columbia Gas representatives will begin calling residents this weekend to schedule their inspections. Assessments will continue for several weeks.
Gas Line Repairs
September 24: 60 construction crews will be deployed throughout North Andover, Andover and Lawrence. On October 8, the reconstruction effort will ramp up to 195 crews deployed across all three communities.
Gas Purging
Columbia Gas began purging gas from underground pipes on September 26th in North Andover. There were 43 crews working on the purging process across Lawrence, Andover and North Andover today.
Columbia Gas will notify the communities of additional purging days and times.
Throughout the purging process, there is the chance that some residents may smell gas. Additional Columbia crews will be on-hand. If any resident smells gas, indoors or outside, they should dial 911 immediately.
Gas Purging is scheduled take place
Other Columbia Gas Updates
Effective today, Columbia Gas has deployed liaisons to the city/town halls in all three communities to enhance communication and coordination between the gas company and the municipal governments.
Columbia Gas is finalizing the locations of long-term customer care centers in all three communities.
According to the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, Columbia Gas/NiSource on Wednesday had 749 employees supporting restoration/recovery activities. Additionally, 1,411 contractors/contract employees were deployed in support of the restoration/recovery Wednesday.
By Friday, Columbia reports there will be 122 construction crews working in the three communities, according to MEMA.
Temporary Heating
September 25: One portable space heater per impacted address will be made available to residents who request them. The portable space heater will be delivered by electricians who can make sure the home can safely support them. These heaters are not intended to heat your entire home or even an entire room. If you are in need of a portable space heater please call 1-855-218-8816.
Showers are available for residents at the Andover/North Andover YMCA located at 165 Haverhill Street in Andover. You do not need to be a member of the YMCA to use the showers.
Donations for the September 13 fire victims are currently being made to the Lawrence Emergency Fund. Once the new Greater Lawrence Disaster Relief Fund is formally activated, the donations will be combined. Both funds will support the work of meeting the needs of people affected in the communities of Lawrence, Andover and North Andover.
- Columbia Gas #MVGasFire Incident Resource Page
- MVGASFIRE Timeline for the Restoration in North Andover
- In House Assessments Street List
- Greater Lawrence Resource List
- Outline of Claims Handling for Customers Impacted by @ColumbiaGasMA Natural Gas Event
- Switching to Alternative Fuel Appliance Q and A
- MassRevenue Assistance for Affected Taxpayers
- Residents with lost wages are eligible for unemployment benefits
- Recovery and Gas Line Replacement Efforts
- Fire Officials Offer Safety Advice for Merrimack Valley Residents
- Find a Red Cross Shelter – 1-800-564-1234
- Report a Gas Emergency – 1-800-525-8222
Timeline of #MVGasFire Updates | @north_andover #MVGasFire Tweets
In House Assessments: List of Streets Targeted for September 27-29
In house assessments have been targeted for the streets on the attached list for the next three days. If you have been impacted and live on one of these streets, Columbia Gas will contact you to schedule.
Assessments will continue for several weeks.
Dispose of your household hazardous waste safely, Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Day is this Saturday at 210 Holt Rd from 9AM TO 1PM!
North Andover provides its residents with 2 comprehensive collection events each year, in the spring and fall, at the TBI Facility located at 210 Holt Road. Accepted materials and more information can be found here: https://www.northandoverma.gov/public-works/pages/hazardous-waste-disposal-information#anchor_acceptable_materials
Unacceptable Materials and How to Dispose of each
Alkaline Batteries – Dispose of with regular household trash or you may bring them to the TBI Facility
Asbestos – Look in the Yellow Pages under Asbestos Removal for a licensed contractor
Construction Waste – (including railroad ties, shingles, dry wall, etc.) – Check with TBI for a demolition debris Drop-off – for a fee or call a private hauler
Explosives – Call 911.
Fire extinguishers – Disposal Instructions.
Hypodermic needles – Place in a puncture-proof container (such as a liquid detergent container) with a screw-on lid and bring them to the Board of Health office during business hours (120 Main Street- Public Nurse) or the Fire Station. (795 Chickering Road)
Latex Paint – Keep removing skim coat so that paint dries completely (some hardware type stores offer a substance to speed the drying of latex paint) – Once paint is completely dried up it may be put in the trash cover must be off the container. (Northside Carting does accept latex paint at their facility during business hours $5.00 per container.) Their number 978-686-8604.
Smoke Detectors – May be disposed of with your regular trash or mailed back to the manufacturer. Manufacturer's address may be found on the underside of the unit.
Unacceptable Materials and How to Dispose of each
Alkaline Batteries – Dispose of with regular household trash or you may bring them to the TBI Facility
Asbestos – Look in the Yellow Pages under Asbestos Removal for a licensed contractor
Construction Waste – (including railroad ties, shingles, dry wall, etc.) – Check with TBI for a demolition debris Drop-off – for a fee or call a private hauler
Explosives – Call 911.
Fire extinguishers – Disposal Instructions.
Hypodermic needles – Place in a puncture-proof container (such as a liquid detergent container) with a screw-on lid and bring them to the Board of Health office during business hours (120 Main Street- Public Nurse) or the Fire Station. (795 Chickering Road)
Latex Paint – Keep removing skim coat so that paint dries completely (some hardware type stores offer a substance to speed the drying of latex paint) – Once paint is completely dried up it may be put in the trash cover must be off the container. (Northside Carting does accept latex paint at their facility during business hours $5.00 per container.) Their number 978-686-8604.
Smoke Detectors – May be disposed of with your regular trash or mailed back to the manufacturer. Manufacturer's address may be found on the underside of the unit.
