2024 - Dec 18th Rain Event Updates
For Immediate Release:
A Major Disaster Declaration (Declaration # FEMA-4761-DR) was granted to the State of NH by President Biden on February 27th, 2024. This declaration triggers the release of Federal funds to help communities recover from the Severe Storm and Flooding that occurred on December 17-21, 2023. As noted in FEMA’s Fact Sheet on the Disaster Declaration Process, the assistance available for Major Disaster Declarations can include the programs listed below:
- Individual Assistance - Assistance to individuals and households
- Public Assistance - Assistance to state and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities
- Hazard Mitigation Assistance – Assistance to state and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations for actions taken to prevent or reduce long term risk to life and property from natural hazards.
NOT ALL PROGRAMS ARE ACTIVATED FOR EVERY DISASTER. The determination of which programs are authorized is based the types of assistance specified in the governor’s request and on the needs identified during the joint Preliminary Damage Assessment (PDA) and any subsequent PDAs. Officials from FEMA and NH’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) visited Jackson and met with Town Staff to complete PDA’s in late December 2023 and early January 2024. Following the notice of the Major Disaster Declaration on 2/27/24, Emergency Management Director Emily Benson took part in an Applicant Briefing on 3/7/24 to learn more about the on-going process in requesting assistance. The Town of Jackson will be submitting a request for assistance specific to town-owned properties and roads through either the Public Assistance or Hazard Mitigation Assistance Programs. Unfortunately the Individual Assistance Program is not available to owners of private property in Jackson. Danielle Duggins, Assistant Chief of Recovery for NH HSEM, stated in a recent email that NH HSEM has been discussing with FEMA the damages that individuals sustained due to the December flooding. FEMA notified the State of NH that it is does not qualify for Individual Assistance from FEMA based on FEMA’s standards of damage. If you would like additional information regarding this decision, please send your questions and concerns to Individual Assistance at: ia.nh@dos.nh.gov
There is a program through the US Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Natural Resources Conservation Service called the Emergency Watershed Protection that might be available to property owners based on the location of their property. For more info go to: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs-initiatives/ewp-emergency-watershed-protection . The point of contact for the program in our region is Matthew D. Brown, State Conservation Engineer, New Hampshire USDA-NRCS. He can be reached at matt.brown@usda.gov . If anyone has additional questions about the on-going disaster declaration process, please contact Emily Benson, Emergency Management Director at EMD@jackson-nh.org.
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Date: February 29th, 2024For Immediate Release:
Governor Chris Sununu announced on February 28th that President Biden granted his request for a major disaster declaration in response to the severe storm and flooding December 17-18th that resulted in significant costs to local communities. Carroll, Coos and Grafton counties are included in the declaration.
“This disaster declaration provides the opportunity for those communities that experienced extensive damage from the severe storm to recuperate costs incurred while fixing damages,” said Governor Chris Sununu. “The state will continue to work with officials in all three counties to utilize relief funding as quickly and efficiently as possible.” For more details about this declaration please go to here.
The Town of Jackson will be working with FEMA and other State emergency management officials to learn more about the next steps of seeking federal funding assistance. If anyone has additional questions please contact Emily Benson, Emergency Management Director at EMD@jackson-nh.org.
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Due to the damage caused by the Dec. 18th storm the Conservation Commission has temporarily closed access to the trails at Jackson Falls until erosion issues can be addressed and exposed tree roots covered to prevent further damage from foot traffic.
Respectfully,
Ben Halcyon, Chair
Jackson Conservation Commission
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Following the severe storm and flooding that began on/after December 17, 2023, the Town of Jackson has been working with NH Homeland Security and Emergency Management(HSEM) to determine the extent of damages via an Initial Damage Assessment (IDA). The goal of the IDA was to determine if the damages associated with this event would meet the state indicator for FEMA Public Assistance. On December 21st and December 26th HSEM officials met with Road Agent Gary Allen, Fire Chief Jay Henry and Emergency Management Director Emily Benson to discuss and view damages to public infrastructure as well as private property. At this time, the IDA has indicated that damages may be severe enough to pursue a FEMA major disaster declaration.
The next step in the process of requesting a major disaster declaration is to complete a Joint Preliminary Damage Assessment (PDA) with FEMA to validate the damages and associated costs to repair impacts to pre-disaster condition. The Town of Jackson will be participating in this on-going process and encourages all property owners who have been impacted by the rainstorm who have not already done so to contact representatives at 211 by calling 1-866-444-4211 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday-Friday. A 211 representative will assist in filing a damage report that will be forwarded to HSEM. 211 NH is the connection for New Hampshire residents to the most up-to-date resources they need from specially trained Information and Referral Specialists.
Please contact Emily Benson, EMD at EMD@jackson-nh.org with any thoughts or concerns regarding this flood event. If you are in need of supplies to help clean-up your basement or other part of your home, there are a limited number of “Muck-out Kits” donated to Jackson from the American Red Cross. Please contact Emily if you would like to have one for your property. As extreme weather events are on the increase, go to Ready NH to learn how to be prepared and stay safe. For additional information specific to emergency preparedness efforts in Jackson go to: https://www.jackson-nh.org/emergency-management Stay safe!
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Date: December 22,2024: Per Road Agent: All roads are passable. The only road closed is the lower half of Eagle Mountain Road (no houses on this section) but Ridge Road can be used.
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Date: December 22,2024: If the storm damaged your home or business, you could be eligible for assistance. Please contact representatives at 211 or 1-866-444- 4211 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday-Friday to fill out a damage report. Note that due to the Christmas holiday, the call line will be closing at noon on Friday, Dec. 22nd and not reopening until Tuesday, Dec. 26th. 211 NH is the connection for New Hampshire residents to the most up to date resources they need from specially trained Information and Referral Specialists. For more info go to: https://www.211nh.org .
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I would like to take this opportunity to express my thanks and appreciation to our Jackson First Responders, Town Staff, volunteers and other community members who played a role, and are continuing to play a role, in ensuring the safety of our community as a result of the December 18th Flood Event. The waters in our town rose at a rate many of us have never seen before, and once again our community displayed its resilience and ability to come together in challenging times. Examples include:
- Providing food for our first responders: Thanks to Genn Anzaldi and J-Town Deli for lunch sandwiches provided at the height of the storm and Susan Ross-Parent and the Jackson Grammar School (the lunch food that the school children did not eat as a result of the early release
- Community volunteers Gloria Hutchings, Meredith Piotrow and Denise Jackson for their availability to help at the Whitney Center in the event we had to officially open as a Primary Shelter.
As we continue to evaluate and make repairs, please note that we will be posting updates on the Town website regarding clean-up efforts, ways to stay safe after a flood and funding sources that may be available to help with property damage.
As extreme weather events are on the increase, go to Ready NH to learn how be prepared and stay safe. If you are preparing for an emergency during the emergency, you are preparing too late! Trips to the store for supplies during a crisis only endanger yourself and could tie up emergency resources. Also, road closure signs are NOT A SUGGESTION, but a lawful posting. Violator can be prosecuted if the disobey traffic direction signs.
Please contact Emily Benson, EMD at EMD@jackon-nh.org with any thoughts or concerns regarding this flood event. For additional information specific to emergency preparedness efforts in Jackson go to: https://www.jackson-nh.org/emergency-management Stay safe!
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Temporary Closure of Route 302 in Crawford Notch State Park
A section of Route 302 will remain fully closed for several days.
The New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) has temporarily closed a section of Route 302 in Crawford Notch State Park due to flood damage to the Bemis Brook Bridge.
From the west Route 302 is open nine miles from Twin Mountain to the AMC Highland Center. From the east Route 302 is open 13 miles from the intersection of Route 302 and Route 16 in Glen to Hart’s Location Town Offices.
Eastbound travelers on Route 302 will be detoured in Twin Mountain to Route 3 north, to Route 115 north, to Route 2 east, to Route 16 south back to Route 302. Westbound travelers on Route 302 will be detoured at the intersection of Route 302 and Route 16 in Glen, to Route 16 north, to Route 2 west, to Route 115 south, to Route 3 back to Route 302.
Motorists are also encouraged to sign up for free, real-time construction and traffic related messages (text or email) from https://newengland511.org/.
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Press Release - Click Link: HSEM Practice Safety After Clean Up
For Immediate Release
December 20, 2023
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December 19, 2024
Jackson Road updates: most roads in Jackson are passable. Here is a list of the ones with challenges:
- Iron Mountain Road, under construction, not passable.
- Carter Notch Road, down to one lane in areas, passable to the area of Fernald Drive. Beyond Fernald closed to through traffic.
- Prospect Farm, Closed.
- Town Greens access, closed, not passable.
- Eagle Mountain Road, Rt. 16 entrance impassable, closed. Access this road by way of Ridge Road.
- Melloon Road, under construction, passable, one lane.
- Sugar Hill Lane, passable, down to one lane towards the Cul-de-sac.
Please use extra caution driving as debris and soft spots are still an issue.
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