Springfield
Massachusetts Relief – Springfield Tornado
June 2011 – July 2011
AH&H provided recovery assistance after a rare tornado hit Springfield, Massachusetts, supporting families with home repairs and debris cleanup.
Disaster Profile
Tornadoes Cause Widespread Damage Across Western Massachusetts
On June 1, 2011, three tornadoes touched down in Western Massachusetts, which greatly impacted 8 communities and affected 21 others. The line of severe weather included two EF-1 and one EF-3, affecting 1,500+ homes, including 600+ of which became uninhabitable. Local officials estimated the total damage costs at about $90 million, due to the extensive damage. The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) invited us to coordinate the local, and up to state level, voluntary organization early-term recovery efforts.
Our Response
Project Springfield Supporting Recovery Across Western Massachusetts
Project Springfield included both our Coordinative Services program and our Volunteer Field Operations program simultaneously. We partnered with the United Way of Pioneer Valley and Massachusetts 2-1-1 in the coordination of spontaneous unaffiliated volunteers. This made it easier to meet the needs of residents affected. We were also able to aid voluntary organizations in need of additional personnel or labor.
The extensive damage to homes in the area required: tree and debris removal and roof tarping. There was also a potential need for roof and home repair. Our work took us to most of the affected communities in Western Massachusetts and volunteers traveled long distances to work sites.