Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, Executive Director for Parks, Buildings and Recreational Management (PBRM) Patrick Sullivan, Park Commission Chairman Brian Santaniello, City Forester Alex Sherman, and Fire Commissioner BJ Calvi joined with Congressman Richard E. Neal, Dave Bloniarz from the USDA Forest Service, Patrick Carnevale Governor Baker’s Western Massachusetts Director, and officials from MEMA and the Hampden County Sheriff’s Office at Forest Park to provide an update on the damage and recovery efforts from Tropical Storm Isaias.
Mayor Sarno, Congressman Neal, Director Sullivan and other city, state and federal officials discussed the damage done not only across the City of Springfield but also across the region and the combined coordinated efforts by the city, state, federal entities and other agencies to clean up and repair all the damage.
The severe weather events resulting from Tropical Storm Isaias, devastated trees across the region, including major impacts to trees in the City of Springfield. Forested areas of the City’s parks and conservation lands have had major damage to the larger trees growing in these areas, which have resulted in the closing of all trails on public property. Downed trees, branches and woody debris is making these natural areas unsafe for residents to travel through on trails or roadways. Most trails in the parks and conservation lands are impassable and will require a major recovery effort, in order to make the trails usable and safe. All woodland areas will remain closed until they can be properly surveyed.
Presently, the City Forestry crews, and contracted services, are working on the public roadways to restore transportation and utility services. Once the situation is stabilized, crews will be made available to open some of the major, most heavily used trails in Forest, Blunt, Van Horn Parks and other locations. This effort will take place over the next month, and will include assistance by teams from the U.S. Forest Service. The City of Springfield is making a formal request today to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Conservation for the Urban Forest Strike Teams to assist the city and the Forest Service in this analysis.
Mayor Sarno stated, “The restoration of these forested and woodland areas is critical so that they can be utilized by residents for active and passive recreation, wildlife observation and respite during the COVID-19 crisis. I want to thank our Springfield’s residents for their patience as we work with our federal and state partners to restore our natural areas devastated by Isaias. We look forward to having the trails and forested lands open to visitors very soon.”
On Wednesday, August 5, 2020, City Officials toured locations all across the City to review and document any damage and unsafe conditions. The City of Springfield’s Forestry Division is working around the clock, with assistance from the Hampden County Sheriff’s Office, the Massachusetts National Guard and other entities to safely remove downed trees and branches from City streets, parks and properties. The City continues to work with Eversource throughout the aftermath of the storm to clear debris and restore power to downed lines.
Recent reports from Eversource state that the vast majority of power outages in the City should be restored by midnight, though there still may be possible scattered outages as power equipment is installed and tree removal work continues.
Mayor Sarno stated, “Again, I want to thank all of our dedicated City team, especially DPW, our public safety officials and the Forestry Division, for their prompt and quick response to this storm. My administration is tested and true in dealing with these natural and man-made. I also want to acknowledge and thank the Baker-Polito Administration, Sheriff Cocchi, our local utility companies – Eversource, Verizon and Springfield Water and Sewer, Northern Tree Service and MEMA for their partnership. I want to thank Congressman Richard Neal, who as always, is our advocate on the federal level in making sure that our Springfield has any and all of the federal resources we may need. He is always just a phone call away.”
“Whenever we need their assistance, all of our partners routinely answer the call for help. Yesterday, as we were dealing with not just the power outages across our City from the storm, we were also dealing with massive water outages due to a major water main break on East Columbus Ave,” Mayor Sarno added. “On August 5, 2020, I declared a state of emergency in the City of Springfield. With this declaration, we are able to go after any and all funding that might potentially become available on the state and federal level from the aftermath of Tropical Storm Isaias.”
“The powerful storm that blew through western Massachusetts on Tuesday evening has left thousands without power and work crews scrambling to clear the damage,” said Congressman Richard E. Neal. “I am thankful for Mayor Sarno and his team for their rapid response and around-the-clock work to ensure the safety of all of our residents. The American Principle tells us that we come to the aid of our fellow American in times of need. As recovery in some places may be slow, I stand ready to assist on the federal level in any way that I can.”
Mayor Sarno and Executive Director of PBRM Sullivan added that the City of Springfield is appreciative of the efforts of Congressman Richard Neal and the United States Forest Service in aiding the city and its residents during the aftermath of Tropical Storm Isaias. The resources being provided by the Federal Government with the U.S. Forest Service will provide valuable information of the resources necessary to remove all of the storm debris from our urban streets and our woodland areas. This storm impacted every neighborhood in our city and the City wants to ensure everyone’s safety by removing all remnants of this storm.
Parks Commission Chairman Santaniello said, “The federal resources being provided here today, along with assistance from our local and state governments, should give our residents great confidence that the City of Springfield is doing everything within its powers to keep our roads, open spaces, and woodlands safe. I want to commend Mayor Sarno, Congressman Neal, and the Park Forestry Division for their immediate and thorough response. It has been very encouraging to see the progress made in just 24 hours and the federal resources being allocated will ensure a comprehensive action plan moving forward.”
Director Sullivan stated, “This is great news for our city to have the commitment of the U.S. Forest Service. At the direction of Mayor Sarno DPBRM will formally request DCR Urban and Community Forest Program for assistance from the Urban Forest Service Strike Teams. The work they will perform in the next three weeks will be invaluable in determining the long-term resources we will need to properly recover from the damage of not only this storm but prior storms as well. I am particularly interested in the data that will be conducted pertaining to the 3,000 acres of open space inclusive in our woodlands. We have significant amounts of slash that have built up and it is imperative that this material be removed and processed properly. This action will prevent the potential of a major fire in our woodlands and protect the neighborhoods surrounding these natural resources.”
City Forester Sherman added, “The Forestry Division is grateful to Mayor Sarno and Congressman Neal in providing these resources in aiding us in the management and protection of our Urban Forest. I applaud them both for understanding the gravity of the situation and the importance of properly managing our woodlands and tree inventory. A healthy street tree provides monetary value to the street on which it is planted and delivers a very positive environmental impact. Trees are a key component in the economic development of a city and our Mayor and Congressman understand this important fact. The USDA Forest Service will be providing technical assistance to Springfield’s reforestation efforts, who look forward to helping the city recover from the devastation experienced in its parks, open spaces and along its streets. We expect to receive support from Forest Service rapid assessment teams from Durham, NH and Amherst, MA, as well as technical expertise from Forest Service research scientists as we carry out recovery and restoration across the city. I look forward to working with the USDA Forest Service for the greater good of the city.”
“I want to thank our residents and the business community for their patience as we work together with all of our community partners to clean and clear up our parks, open space and woodland areas, and restore all of the power and water outages we experienced,” Mayor Sarno said.
Tropical Storm Isaias touched down and swept through Springfield on Tuesday, August 4, 2020 with strong wind gusts close to 60 mph, leaving trees and branches down and thousands of residents and businesses without power. In addition, there was a major water main break on East Columbus Ave, which had left most of the city either without water or with low pressure.
On Wednesday, August 5, 2020, Mayor Sarno declared a state of emergency in the City of Springfield due to damaged sustained by Tropical Storm Isaias and the power and water outages across the City.
