Kaitlin McKinley Becker

‘Ghost Town': South Lawrence Residents Staying Away

At the Merrimack River, which separates the northern part of Lawrence from the south side, countless people were crossing the bridge Friday evening leaving South Lawrence where the power is shut off.

“We’re trying to get out of here,” said Gio Vargas.

Vargas made multiple trips with his family back and forth over the bridge bringing as much as he could.

“We don’t know what to do,” said Vargas. “We have to find someplace to stay till it’s over.”

It’s almost a ghost town in the southern part of the city as almost everyone has evacuated.

Some are making brief trips home.

“I came back to get my medicine and clean clothes,” said Maureen Ahearn, who knows it could have been worse. ”Not as bad as it could be, my house didn’t blow up.”

Teams of utility crews, police and firefighters spent the day checking houses and the gas meters. All of the gas needs to be shut off to the affected customers in parts of the city.

“Our house is still standing thank God,” said Barbara Homewood. “We are safe.” 

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