Annual report of the Town of Hampton, New Hampshire

damage to homes from NorEast Lane to Billy Joe Brown Park. Billy Joe
Brown Park was deeply eroded by the ocean waves and the Plaice Cove
area and Ancient Highway was inundated by a three to four foot depth of
ocean water. The stone seawall was breached near the northerly end of
Beach Plum Way, washing large boulders between the homes and tearing
out walls of structures, and washing automobiles across lots. The ocean
waves washed across Bicentennial Park, displacing a wingwall at the boat
launching area, and washed across Route 1-A from North Beach down to
Boar's Head doing serious damage to the homes on Route 1-A. The wind
blowing off the ocean picked up the large sand dune at the end of Concord
Avenue and deposited it among the cottages in the Boston, Concord, and
Dover Street areas. Damage was so severe in damaged homes, flooded
basements, and eroded land that the State was declared a disaster area and
eligible for disaster aid. FEMA teams were immediately dispatched and met
with local officials, homeowners, and other interested persons to provide
assistance in applications for disaster assistance. FPO Bancewicz and
Inspector Litchfield were present at the disaster information and application
center to assist residents in reading flood maps of Hampton and identifying
properties for application purposes. Damage in Hampton was estimated to
be in the millions. Town costs associated with the storm have been gathered
by FEMA and the town may be reimbursed. No personal injuries were
reported during this storm. While Plaice Cove remained deep in water until
the next day, all other areas were accessible to residents within a few hours
after high tide.
The resources of the Emergency Operating Center are available to
combat any winter storm in the future, providing assistance to our citizens
and coordinating the activities of other agencies involved in storm mitigation.
We will do all we can to preserve life and minimize property damage.
My personal thanks are extended to the Board of Selectmen, town
employees, Boards and Commissions, and residents of the Town of
Hampton for their cooperation and support during the year.
Respectfully submitted:
Philip G. Richards
Town Manager
39