Possible Emergencies in Westfield
Local Examples - Why be prepared for an emergency in Westfield?
It is reasonable to expect bad events to happen, however it is human nature to believe those things will happen in other places, to other people. Communities in California can have earth quakes, shoreline areas fear hurricanes, the plains states must worry about tornados, and big cities fear terrorism. What can possibly happen in Westfield, and why should citizens be prepared?
Flooding
A likely emergency event in Westfield is flooding. There have been many major floods in Westfield’s recorded history. Westfield lies within the Westfield River Basin which includes an area of twenty-nine communities in Massachusetts, covers almost five hundred square miles and has many tributaries. Within this water system are reservoirs and dams. In many ways, the City of Westfield lies downstream from much of the system as it passes through to the Connecticut River.
Floods can develop very rapidly in the basin and threaten Westfield. The principal branches of the Westfield River can crest after four hours of intense rainfall, with concentration in the city of that water within eight hours.
September 1826 – "..the bridge across a branch of Westfield River was considerably injured .. every bridge in Russell and Blandford swept away." – Northampton Gazetteer
May 1, 1854 – “At Westfield the canal gave way soon after the flood commenced, the Great and Little Rivers overflowed their banks, submerging the meadows and backing into the streets of the town, filling cellars and putting the whole vicinity in good boating order.” – Springfield Daily Republican
December 10-11, 1878 – “A night of horror at Westfield… a large number of residences were instantly lifted from their foundations and the smaller ones carried along with the current.” – Springfield Daily Union
March 1, 1896 – “The neighborhood of Meadow Street is flooded north to the range of hills bordering the Hampden plains. Many places near Springdale could be reached only by boats.” – Springfield Daily Union
November 4, 1927 – “Six lives lost… damage amounting to almost a million dollars.” – Army Corp of Engineers
August, 1955
The largest flood in recent history was the flood of 1955 and deserves special mention. Following the August 11th rainfall of almost six inches from hurricane Connie area streams had risen to the top of their banks. On August 18th, a second hurricane, Diane, added almost an additional twenty inches of rain over a three day period.
The storm broke communications and power, main highways were impassible and the city was cut into three sections by the resulting flooding. Powder Mill Brook near Notre Dame Street broke its banks and cut off the north section of the city, wrecking the bridge at the bottom of Clay Hill. Buildup of water under the railroad viaduct blocked traffic across the Great River Bridge and the Cowles Bridge on South Maple Street was closed when a portion of Crane's Pond Dam collapsed. Boats were seen on Broad Street and water poured through a few hundred feet from the Park Square green.
Without power or natural gas, citizens resorted to cooking outdoors, drinking water became a problem. Seventy-six businesses and homes were condemned, with a total of six hundred-fifty homes, fifty businesses, seven industrial firms and sixteen farms experiencing flood damage. Nine bridges were washed away or damaged and an estimated six hundred automobiles were damaged. Losses were estimated at some five to eight million dollars.
April 2007 – Westgate Plaza and East Silver Street suffered significant flooding causing the closing of roads, stores and evacuations.
Links: Mass Live Photo Collection - Mass Live Collected Memories - Westfield Flood Control Commission
Severe Weather
Severe weather is always a hazard is any community. The results of a severe storm can knock out power or limit access to locations and essestials.
While not frequent in New England, the nations 20th worst tornado struck as close as Worcester in 1953 severely effecting tens of thousands. A nearby reminder that severe weather can strike our area.
Industrial Accidents
While there are local industries in the city, Westfield also has rail lines and a major turnpike within our community borders. An accident involving chemicals from such sources could impact citizens.
Pandemics
The last significant pandemic to strike Massachusetts was the Influenza Pandemic of 1918, a world wide event. Boston was the first city in the country to be hit and suffered the largest loss of life. It is estimated that some 45,000 thousand Massachusetts residents fell victim.
The recent bird flu and H1N1events remind us that pandemics are still a threat.
