Merrimack Valley still impacted on one-month anniversary of gas explosions

October 13 marks the one-month anniversary of the Merrimack Valley gas explosions, and communities are still working to get back to normal after weeks of compromising.

Construction continues across Andover, Lawrence and North Andover, as workers try to replace gas lines as quickly as possible for hundreds who still don't have service.

"Getting to school, it takes like 10 or 15 extra minutes," Danielle Silva said. "There's detours everywhere."

While homes are still feeling the effects, with no heat in some cases as temperatures begin to drop in New England, businesses are also still being impacted after the explosions.

Silva works at Sweet Mimi's, one business that was able to reopen after the explosions.

"We're lucky that it didn't affect us, because we don't have to use gas for anything," Silva said. "But, yeah. We're a little cold, but that's okay."

Silva said the business is using space heaters to keep warm during a cold weekend ahead.

Some businesses are making do, running on propane tanks for the time being as work continues in the area.

"A lot of them have either limited menus, or have had to hold some employees," an Andover resident named Emily said. "They’ve been trying to pay them, but have not been able to keep them at work."

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Meanwhile, others are rallying to support local businesses in a unique way, setting up scarecrows all down Main Street in Andover to bring families out as Halloween approaches.

The scarecrows are aimed to bring more business downtown to stores impacted by the explosions, hoping to give back to those that have lost so much after being closed for weeks.

"I think it’s definitely brought our community together," Silva said.

Columbia Gas said it could still take at least another month for gas to be fully restored in the area.

Cox Media Group