Amherst residents start storm clean-up

AMHERST, Mass. (WWLP) - The impact of Storm Sandy was felt across western Massachusetts, despite the hurricane making landfall hundreds of miles away.  And a day after sustained winds, gray skies and constant rain, residents are starting to clean up. 

During the height of the storm, thousands lost power across Hampshire County; with one of the hardest hit communities being Easthampton.  But a day after the storm, the power is back on for many and people are starting to roll up their sleeves and get to work.

“And we heard this humongous crack and my son looks out the window and says 'Mom look the tree fell over," and we're like 'Oh God, what about the cars,” said Amanda Seaman outside her South East Street home.   

And Seaman wasn't the only Amherst resident dealing with the aftermath of Sandy.  DPW crews drove up and down streets all morning cleaning debris.

“We probably lost power for 30 minutes and then it was immediately brought back on,” said Margaret Collins of Amherst.   

But for others the storm's impact was more severe.  Monday's gusting winds ripped the gutters off of a South Pleasant Street home in Amherst and caused a tree to topple over its roof.   

Abby Puppolo who lives in the home, heard of the incident through her roommate.  “She texted me at nine this morning saying that a tree fell on our house,” said the UMass student. 

But the owner says preliminary reports indicate the damage is minor.  “I think it's just punctured shingles is what I've been told, I haven't been up myself, I think it's minimal. I saw a gutter in the yard as I pulled in,” said Joel Greenbaum outside the home Tuesday morning. 

Greenbaum says he doesn’t plan on filing an insurance claim.  “It could have been worse.”