U-Haul offering 30 days free self-storage to Central Mass. residents impacted by recent flooding
U-Haul® is offering 30 days of free self-storage to central Massachusetts residents impacted by recent flooding.
By Lindsey Thorpe
NORTHBOROUGH, Mass. — U-Haul is offering 30 days of free self-storage to central Massachusetts residents after a devastating round of flash flooding caused extensive damage to Leominster and North Attleboro.
A state of emergency was issued in Leominster Monday night after catastrophic flooding left motorists stranded, forced the cancellation of school, and prompted evacuations in some areas. Leominster Mayor Dean Mazzarella said emergency crews had to evacuate people throughout the night with hovercrafts and boats.
An estimated 11 inches of rain fell in the city in just a matter of five hours causing millions of dollars in damage and destroying several homes.
“Almost everyone in these communities knows someone affected by these storms,” said Josh Alexander, U-Haul Company of Central Massachusetts president. “Many families need a dry place to store their belongings. U-Haul is here to help during the recovery process.”
In addition to its 30 days free self-storage disaster relief program, U-Haul is proud to be at the forefront of aiding communities in times of need as an official American Red Cross Disaster Responder, says Alexander.
The U-Haul disaster relief program applies to new self-storage unit rentals and is based on availability at each facility.
Severe Weather-New England Crews work on a section of Pleasant Street in Leominster, Mass., which was washed out Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023, after heavy rain fall in the town overnight. (AP Photo/Josh Reynolds) (JOSH REYNOLDS/AP)
Severe Weather-New England Road crews assess a sinkhole on Chestnut Street in Leominster, Mass., Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023. Parts of Massachusetts and Rhode Island were flooded by heavy rain Monday night. (AP Photo/Michael Casey) (Michael Casey/AP)
Severe Weather-New England A man surveys damage to a house on Hamilton Street in Leominster, Mass. after heavy rain fall in the town overnight. (AP Photo/Josh Reynolds) (Josh Reynolds/AP)
Severe Weather New England A brook in Leominster, Mass. overflows into the garage of a home following heavy rains overnight, Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Casey) (Michael Casey/AP)
Severe Weather-New England Workers survey the damage to a Commuter Rail train line which was washed out Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023, in Leominster, Mass. after heavy rain fall in the town overnight. (AP Photo/Josh Reynolds) (Josh Reynolds/AP)
Severe Weather New England Home owner John Schuller assesses flood damage to the road leading to his house in Leominster, Mass., Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Casey) (Michael Casey/AP)
Severe Weather New England A brook in Leominster, Mass. overflows into the garage of a home following heavy rains overnight, Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Casey) (Michael Casey/AP)
Severe Weather-New England Workers survey the damage to a Commuter Rail train line which was washed out Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023, in Leominster, Mass. after heavy rain fall in the town overnight. (AP Photo/Josh Reynolds) (Josh Reynolds/AP)
Severe Weather-New England Yellow caution tape surrounds a sinkhole in Leominster, Mass., Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023. Parts of Massachusetts and Rhode Island were flooded by heavy rain Monday night. (AP Photo/Michael Casey) (Michael Casey/AP)
Severe Weather-New England Roads and sidewalks are damaged following heavy rain in Leominster, Mass., Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023. The deluge flooded other parts of Massachusetts as well as Rhode Island. (AP Photo/Michael Casey) (Michael Casey/AP)
Severe Weather-New England Homeowner John Schiller assesses damage to the his driveway after heavy rainfall in Leominster, Mass. and other parts of Massachusetts, Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Casey) (Michael Casey/AP)
Severe Weather-New England From left, car dealership owner Rick Durand Owner of Durand Cadillac and controller Michelle Bettez react beside three vehicles that fell into a sinkhole that was washed out of his car dealership Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023, in Leominster, Mass. after more than 9 inches of rain fell overnight. (AP Photo/Josh Reynolds) (Josh Reynolds/AP)
Severe Weather-New England From left, car dealership owner Rick Durand Owner of Durand Cadillac and controller Michelle Bettez react beside three vehicles that fell into a sinkhole that was washed out of his car dealership Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023, in Leominster, Mass. after more than 9 inches of rain fell overnight. (AP Photo/Josh Reynolds) (JOSH REYNOLDS/AP)
Severe Weather-New England Roads and sidewalks are damaged following heavy rain in Leominster, Mass., Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023. The deluge flooded other parts of Massachusetts as well as Rhode Island. (AP Photo/Michael Casey) (Michael Casey/AP)
Severe Weather-New England Roads and sidewalks are damaged following heavy rain in Leominster, Mass., Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023. The deluge flooded other parts of Massachusetts as well as Rhode Island. (AP Photo/Michael Casey) (Michael Casey/AP)
Massachusetts Weather Firefighters use boats and a military truck to evacuate residents and pets as floodwaters rise in the Meadowbrook Acres neighborhood of Leominster, Mass., Monday, Sept. 11, 2023. (Rick Cinclair/Worcester Telegram & Gazette via AP) (Rick Cinclair/AP)
Massachusetts Weather Vehicles make their way through a flooded Lancaster Street during heavy rain in Leominster, Mass., Monday, Sept. 11, 2023. (Rick Cinclair/Worcester Telegram & Gazette via AP) (Rick Cinclair/AP)