Baker seeks federal disaster funds for storm damages

May 02--BOSTON -- Gov. Charlie Baker is asking for federal relief for Essex County and other parts the state hit hardest by an early March nor'easter that packed hurricane-force winds, torrential rain and coastal flooding.

Baker, a Swampscott Republican, wrote to the Federal Emergency Management Agency on Monday to seek a major disaster declaration for Essex, Plymouth, Norfolk, Bristol, Barnstable and Nantucket counties. It would cover damage from the March 2 to 3 storm -- one of several nor'easters this winter.

Preliminary estimates peg the costs of emergency response, clearing debris and repairing public infrastructure at more than $23.8 million -- above the required statewide threshold of $9.5 million in storm-response and recovery costs to qualify for aid, Baker said. At least 2,113 homes were damaged, including 147 that were destroyed.

"This intense and long duration storm brought historic flooding and damaging winds to easternnds of trees; damaged utility company wires, poles and infrastructure; and caused widespread power outages," he added.

More than 450,000 electricity customers were without power at the height of the storm, he wrote.

If a disaster is declared, FEMA's public assistance program would reimburse cities and towns up to 75 percent of the eligible costs of damages.

Baker is also asking for a disaster declaration from the U.S. Small Business Administration, which would make low-interest loans available to eligible applicants in Norfolk County and neighboring counties including Plymouth, Bristol, Suffolk, Middlesex and Worcester to help with recovery.

Essex County wasn't included in that request because the region's losses were not severe enough to meet a government threshold, which takes into account insurance coverage.

Kurt Schwartz, director of the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, said he expects FEMA to make a decision within a few weeks, though it would take time to get the aid to city and town halls.

From a cost perspective, the state far exceeds the eligibility requirements, he noted.

"It can be a long process, but some communities would begin receiving federal reimbursement fairly quickly for some types of costs that are easily documented and verified," Schwartz said. "But we're talking about several tens of millions of dollars, so it does take time."

Middlesex County wasn't included in Baker's major disaster request because it didn't meet the minimum thresholds for getting federal aid, Schwartz said. But the area sustained significant damage in a March 13 storm that dumped heavy snow on the region, and emergency management officials are assessing those costs to determine if a separate disaster request is warranted, he said.

Essex County reported the third-largest cost for clean up following the early March storm, tallying an estimated $2.8 million in damages, according to state emergency officials.

The storm was especially destructive along the coast. Inland communities also struggled with toppled trees, down limbs and local flooding.

A sizable chunk of the storm-related costs in Essex County were attributed to damages to public parks and other facilities, which were estimated at more than $1.5 million.

Baker noted in his letter that public facilities in Gloucester -- at Good Harbor Beach, Cressey's Beach, Magnolia Pier and Stacy Boulevard -- were "rendered inaccessible to residents and visitors."

"The storm, with its high winds and pounding wave action, along with major flooding over multiple high tide cycles, caused flooding and severe beach erosion and damage to seawalls, bulkheads, roadways, a pier and a footbridge," he wrote.

Baker pointed out that Gloucester's tourism and commercial fishing industries were hit especially hard.

"Due to the magnitude of impacts from this storm, without federal disaster assistance, large capital improvement projects, such as seawalls and piers, will be deferred indefinitely and public services, funded though a very limited local budget, will be scaled back to accommodate the cost of repairs," he wrote.

State Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr, R-Gloucester, welcomed the governor's request and said he hopes federal money is forthcoming.

"Our communities have certainly sustained significant damage and hardships due to the frequency and duration of storms since January, creating extraordinary costs that were and are a real strain on municipal and household budgets," Tarr said Tuesday.

Newburyport Mayor Donna Holaday said the city sustained significant flooding that shifted dunes and inundated shoreline property.

"I've never seen anything like it," Holaday said Tuesday. "We had homes surrounded by water, which I can't even remember happening."

Holaday said she didn't have a dollar figure for damages, particularly in terms of beach erosion, but the clean-up costs have been hefty.

"We spent several weeks just taking care of downed trees," she said. "So any help we could get from the federal government would be appreciated."

Christian M. Wade covers the Massachusetts Statehouse for North of Boston Media Group's newspapers and websites. Email him at [email protected].

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