Chronology of a Local Disaster:

The Roslindale Floods
On Oct. 20, 1996, the Archdale section of Roslindale was flooded by a river of toxic waste. Rains had been heavy that week, with over four inches reported in Boston on that day alone. An outflow pipe overflowed in several locations, releasing a river of untreated raw sewage, home-heating oil from burst tanks, household chemicals, diesel fuel, and an undetermined mix of other toxins. The toxic river filled backyards, basements, living rooms and kitchens, cresting over seven feet in some areas. Cars were destroyed. Families lost their furniture, clothing, food, and appliances.

Pre-disaster public health conditions are important in assessing needs. During these floods, for example, it was critical to assess the number of affected residents who had received a tetanus booster within 5 years.

A number of city departments are involved in disaster response, including the Fire Department, the Police, the Health Department, the Boston Water and Sewer Commission, etc. Outside agencies play a role, too.

In the summer of 1998, the situation occurred again when heavy rains dumped up to 10 inches of rain on the eastern part of Massachusetts. Significant flooding was again reported in Roslindale: once again, a major concern was the raw sewage back up in basements in the Roslindale/Archdale section of Boston.

Fearing outbreaks of tetanus and other infectious diseases, local public Health officials teamed up with nurses from the CDC to set up immunization centers at the Roslindale Municipal Building and the Greater Roslindale Health Center to provide the combined tetanus and diphtheria toxoid (Td) booster shots. Nurses from Boston’s Homeless Services provided counseling to residents of the affected areas and information sheets on how to clean up areas that had been contaminated with sewage and/or other toxic materials. The Greater Roslindale Health Center, assisted by the public health department, continued to see area residents with nonacute complaints, such as rashes.