In Haverhill, a massive sinkhole opened up near a residential building, forcing locals to evacuate, part of what prompted the mayor to issue a state of emergency.
The heavy rains that caused flooding this week in Haverhill, Massachusetts, this week opened up a massive sinkhole that crews were still working to repair late Saturday night.
The sinkhole near Washington and Ford streets, about 20 feet wide and 20 feet deep, was preventing people who live in a nearby building from going into their homes. Workers were racing Saturday night to shore up the hole, with more rain in the forecast overnight.
"If the rain keeps washing out the area, the house has the potential to fall into the hole. So it’s catastrophic ... until we can secure the hole and backfill it with plates and gravel and stone," Haverhill Collections System Supervisor Paul Jessel said.
Residents didn't know when they'd be able to get back into their homes, and several told NBC10 Boston they were worried about safety.
Some businesses say it may take months to recover and reopen after the flooding Tuesday.
The storms this week dropped 5 inches of rain and caused $1 million in damages to Haverhill's sewer system, Mayor James Fiorentini said Friday as he declared a state of emergency.
The North Shore was hit particularly hard by the storms, which also sparked two tornadoes.
Victor Morris
A viewer photo shows East Mill Pond in North Andover flooded, the dam completely submerged.
NBC10 Boston
NBC10 Boston
Storm damage in Mattapoisett, Massachusetts, after a confirmed tornado touchdown on Aug. 8, 2023.
Flooding on Storrow Drive on Aug. 8, 2023
Flooding on Grafton Street in Lawrence, Massachusetts, on Aug. 8, 2023.
Flooding on Lowell Street in Lawrence, Massachusetts, on Aug. 8, 2023
Jake Bronstein
Wellesley Police Department
Flooding in Wellesley, Massachusetts, on Aug. 8, 2023.
Wilmington Police Department
Police in Wilmington, Massachusetts said Lowell Street was closed to all traffic from Woburn to Cross street due to heavy flooding in the roadway on Aug. 8, 2023.
NBC10 Boston
NBC10 Boston
Flooding in Winthrop, Massachusetts, on Aug. 8, 2023.
Flooding on the patio of a home in Ashland, Massachusetts, on Aug. 8, 2023.
Rowley Police Department
A tree came down across Wethersfield Street in Rowley, Massachusetts, on Aug. 8, 2023.
Heather Sougaris
NBC10 Boston
NBC10 Boston
Storm damage in Mattapoisett, Massachusetts, where National Weather Service officials say a tornado touched down on Aug. 8, 2023.
Storm damage in Mattapoisett, Massachusetts, where National Weather Service officials say a tornado touched down on Aug. 8, 2023.
@MartyMcFLYS
A flooded parking lot on High Street in North Andover, Massachusetts, after storms on Aug. 8, 2023.
A flooded parking lot on High Street in North Andover, Massachusetts, after storms on Aug. 8, 2023.
Acushnet MA Office of Emergency Management
Storm damage after a confirmed tornado touchdown in Mattapoisett, Massachusetts, on Aug. 8, 2023.
Storm damage after a confirmed tornado touchdown in Mattapoisett, Massachusetts, on Aug. 8, 2023.
Storm damage after a confirmed tornado touchdown in Mattapoisett, Massachusetts, on Aug. 8, 2023.
