Feds Tour Flooded Neighborhoods

Federal disaster officials are touring parts of Massachusetts to assess damage from last weekend's torrential rains and winds.

Gov. Deval Patrick said the visit by representatives of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Small Business Administration is part of the state's effort to make its case for federal disaster assistance.

Patrick said he's also contacted U.S. Sens. John Kerry and Scott Brown to enlist their help.

The storm caused serious flooding in parts of the state and forced the MBTA to temporarily suspend commuter rail service between the Braintree and Holbrook/Randolph stations because of a washed out rail bed.

Patrick said it was a miracle that there was no loss of life because of the storm.

A body was found in a flooded office building on Birch Road in Middleton Wednesday afternoon.

The Essex County District Attorney's Office told WBZ-TV 49-year old John Liston of Danvers was found by his dad on the first floor of his business, U.S. Castings, around noontime.

Liston's father told police he last spoke with his son around midnight. He said Liston was in the process of pumping out his business. http://imgsrv.wbz.com/image/wbz/UserFiles/Image/news%20images/flood_greenline_washout%28lan.jpg

The MBTA has accelerated work to fully reopen the Green Line's D branch.

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority spokesman Joe Pesaturo said Wednesday that crews are aiming to fully restore trolley service by Monday's morning commute.

A 60-foot section of trackbed near Glen Avenue in Newton was washed out by last weekend's nor'easter. Crews have since pumped water out of the hole and are now bringing in fill to restore the grade.

When that work is completed, they will lay an 18-inch drainage line to prevent a future blowout. They're also building a retaining wall.

Currently, the T is busing passengers between the Newton Highlands and Reservoir stops, where they can resume trolley service.

Pesaturo says "crews will work 24/7 until the work is done."

Storm victims were encouraged to call 211, a special assistance line operated by the United Way of Massachusetts Bay, to report damage or inquire about special services.