LEOMINSTER, MASS. (WHDH) - An iconic home in Leominster has been demolished after it sustained severe damage from flooding in 2023.
The house on Pleasant Street became a widely photographed symbol of the damage those floods caused.
The City of Leominster purchased the home at nearly $100,000 less than its estimated value from the family that owned it. The mayor says that after the house is razed, the city plans to fix the road and underground drainage nearby.
In a statement about the home’s demolition, Leominster’s mayor said, “The story could have been much different. As we move forward to make Leominster whole again after the catastrophic flooding, we are thankful that this family and so many other families received the help they needed to get back on their feet.”
In September 2023, heavy rain slammed Worcester county, with the ensuing floods washing away roads and building foundations.
Over a year later, it’s something neighbors say they are still talking about.
“All the water came flying down,” said Randy LaClair. “Just major overload and you see what happened.”
“I remember that house, [it’s] been there forever,” said neighbor Dave Lanciani. “The land gave way.”
Good Samaritans rescued the couple who lived there as the ground around the home’s foundation started to collapse.
“They were truly good neighbors and we felt they were always very friendly,” said neighbor Santiago Pena.
Leominster was denied federal funding by FEMA, but President Joe Biden’s administration did approve limited assistance to homeowners and businesses affected.
City officials say the flooding caused up to $35 million in damage to Leominster’s infrastructure.
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