PRINCETON — Fire Chief John Bennett saw the power of last week’s storm and rushing water up close.
“Monday night was a complete nightmare,” Bennett said of the Sept. 11 storm, which dropped an estimated 7 inches of rain on East Princeton, according to meteorological reports.
“I have not seen anything like this, other than the ice storm, in my 43 years on the fire department,” Bennett said, referring to the devastation of the 2008 winter ice storm.
Through the evening, emergency crews in Princeton and neighboring Leominster worked to deal with effects of the rain as the storm system stalled overhead.
Sterling also had some rainwater issues, but the bulk of rain fell in Princeton and Leominster.
Emergency personnel worked to deal with the water, which flooded areas and undercut roads and embankments and pushed things with the force of nature.
No one was killed or seriously injured, but there were plenty of reports of people trapped in cars and in harm’s way.
“Actually, I personally had a save that was very scary,” Bennett said.
“We had a woman stranded in a vehicle at the intersection of Beaman Road and Westminster Road. The water was flowing like a lake from an adjacent swamp that looked like a lake, and the water was roaring over the road at about 3 feet.
“I was actually responding to another call and had just fought my way up Beaman Road. The water was flowing down Beaman like a river. As I approached the intersection, I could not believe my eyes. Her car was stranded in the middle of the intersection and water was flowing right up the side of her car, almost halfway up the driver side door.
“I admit I was seriously concerned. I called for a swift water rescue team, but unfortunately, everyone was responding to Leominster. I took a deep breath and drove my personal Tahoe into the water in 4-wheel drive and tried to block the water by using my truck as a dam between the oncoming rapids and her car,” he said.
“I then climbed out of my truck into the water, which immediately (put me in) water up to my waist. I worked my way to her car, pulled her out of the passenger side, and then we sidestepped the heavy rapid-like water to my vehicle, where I was able to put her in the back seat. We then backed out of the water, and I was able to get her to headquarters and have her checked out by our medic,” Bennett said.
Emergency crews saved several people trapped in their vehicles by the water.
“We saved a total of six people out of vehicles, and had them stay at both headquarters and Station 2,” he said. “Our crew was out all night, and we finally had everyone go home at 2 a.m. to rest.”
The chief acknowledged the work of the crews.
“My heartfelt thanks to my team for such a professional response, and in many cases taking some personal risks to ensure the safety of others,” he said.
“One key helpful piece of equipment for this event was our Engine 4, which is a duce and one half Army truck that we converted into a brush firefighting vehicle. I wound up driving this vehicle with our Lt. Brett Duncan to many emergency calls. It is the only type of vehicle that can handle this kind of event,” Bennett said.
The Princeton town website posted and will continue to post updates, including road closures.
“The town is working with MassDOT to assess damage to the town’s roads and infrastructure due to heavy rain and flooding last night,” the website said the day after the storm hit.
As of several days post-storm, the site listed roads that were closed until further notice: East Princeton Road; Mirick Road; Hobbs Road from Route 140 to the Sterling town line; and Gleason Road.
The site also advised, “Please take caution when traveling on Houghton and Bullard Roads as heavy equipment is in the area making road repairs.”
Many roads were damaged by rushing water, and several had become unpassable and unsafe as water undercut the pavement.
Town Administrator Sherry Patch said she is focused on other aspects of the emergency.
She said there was a State of Emergency for Worcester County, and MEMA and MassDOT had been out to the town.
She said she was also reaching out for residents that do not have flood insurance. And she is working on the financial parts of the recovery.
Patch said other towns had helped Princeton.
“Holden DPW has been amazing,” Patch said, and Sterling had provided assistance to supplement Princeton’s limited resources.
In Sterling, the Fire Department reported isolated spots of high water in areas of Upper North Row Road, Crowley Road, Redemption Rock Trail and Greenland Road. Emergency personnel helped several residents with high water conditions and set up temporary detours until the road conditions subsided.
On Sept. 12, Sterling Fire/EMS and DPW surveyed local dams and areas susceptible to high water, closing Crowley Road due to flooding.
The Wachusett Regional School District canceled school Sept. 12.
