BRATTLEBORO — The Brattleboro Housing Authority’s (BHA) two developments in West Brattleboro were both damaged by flash flooding brought on by Tropical Storm Irene on Aug. 28.
In anticipation of the storm, the 80-unit Melrose Terrace was evacuated on Aug. 27 and the 72-unit Hayes Court the next morning.
Hayes Court did not sustain much damage, according to the BHA. A lot of water from nearby Whetstone Brook rushed through, but did not breach the apartments. After much mud removal, the BHA said everyone was able to move back in on Monday.
Melrose Terrace was not as fortunate.
David DeAngelis, Section 8 administrator for the BHA, said that as of Tuesday, of the 80 units at Melrose, 48 units were rendered uninhabitable, and they will remain that way for two to four months.
Another group of apartments that were flooded should be cleared for habitation by the end of this week, he said.
Many apartments were completely flooded, and the force of the water was such that refrigerators and furniture were thrown across rooms. Nearly every resident has lost much of their respective belongings.
The BHA said because the floodwaters were contaminated by sewage, propane and fuel leaks, and other toxins, all upholstered furniture, rugs, and other porous materials must be discarded. The residents have also lost all food that was in their refrigerators, as the power was out.
The BHA’s offices were also flooded, but as of Aug. 31 the power was back on, the phones were working, and what computers were not flooded were working.
Structural engineers have done an assessment of all the BHA buildings and found they were structurally safe.
Right now, the BHA said its main concern is helping residents get back to their homes. They are working with each resident to determine when his or her apartment may be occupied.
The BHA says there is a need for much assistance for residents — furniture, clothes, food, money for other items that were destroyed, moral support, help with shopping, and other needs.
Volunteer work parties worked through Labor Day weekend to begin cleaning out the Melrose apartments.
For more information, call the BHA office at 802-254-6071. Donations can also be made through the United Way of Windham County.
Also, any displaced residents needing housing assistance should contact DeAngelis. He said that he keeps a regularly updated list of rentals in the area, and that he works with clients to find suitable housing.