Known for its quaint little villages, gorgeous scenery, and strong sense of community, Vermont is currently experiencing one of the worst natural disasters in its history. Prolonged storms and deluges of rain have caused historic flooding throughout the state, causing extensive damage in their wake. Homes and businesses have been washed away, entire villages have been flooded, and the locals are still finding it difficult to comprehend the extent of the catastrophe.
Flooding Unprecedentedly
State officials are calling the severe flooding that has affected almost every area of Vermont “unprecedented.” Roadways have become rivers as a result of rivers rising over their banks and isolating entire communities from vital services. Towns near the Winooski and White Rivers were among the worst-hit, with many being forced to flee with little more than the clothing on their backs due to the swiftly rising waters.
Declaring a state of emergency, Governor Phil Scott ordered the National Guard into action to support search and rescue operations. First responders put in endless hours to help those in need, and helicopters have been sent in to rescue people who are stranded by rising seas. It’s difficult to grasp the scope of this catastrophe. Governor Scott stated at a press conference that “saving lives and making sure our residents are safe are our top priorities right now.”
Whole Communities Destroyed
Many small towns and rural areas have suffered catastrophically as a result of the catastrophe. Residents are returning to discover their houses entirely devastated, businesses demolished, and essential infrastructure washed away in places like Barre, Montpelier, and Waterbury. The floods have destroyed many roads, making many places remote and challenging to get to. Some local leaders have described their towns as unrecognizable, and others have called it a once-in-a-lifetime calamity.
Waterbury resident John Lawson stated, “I’ve lived here my entire life, and I’ve never seen anything like this.” “The town is under water, my neighbors have lost everything, and my home is gone.” I’m not sure how we’ll bounce back.
Effects on Local Economy and Agriculture
A vital component of Vermont’s economy, agriculture has also been severely impacted by the water. Long-standing farms are now under water, their livestock gone, and their crops devastated. The long-term effects on the economy are predicted to be disastrous since farmers would not only lose their livelihoods immediately but also run the risk of going bankrupt in the future if recovery efforts aren’t quick and efficient.
“Everything is gone—our farms, our animals, our equipment,” Mad River Valley dairy farmer Susan McAllister said. “The harm is done, even if the seas subside. Rebuilding will take several years.
Local companies, which are already having a difficult time due to the pandemic’s effects, are taking yet another hit. A lot of people have lost everything they owned in the floods, and there has been extensive damage to infrastructure, making recovery appear impossible. It is anticipated that Vermont’s well-known tourism sector will suffer as travelers decide not to go to the currently crisis-ridden areas.
Obstacles in the Rehab Process
The size of the recovery work remains big, even if emergency personnel are doing everything in their power to offer immediate aid. Due to the extreme pressure, highways, bridges, and dams in Vermont have collapsed, exacerbating the effects of the floods. The cost of repairs will be high and may take several months or even years to finish.
FEMA representatives are already on the scene evaluating the damage, and Governor Scott has urged the federal government to provide emergency disaster help. In addition, the governor has issued a request for volunteers and donations, emphasizing that the recovery process will be prolonged and necessitate the support of all Vermonters and others.
“The road to recovery will be long, and assistance from the federal, state, and local levels will be required.” Governor Scott stated, “This disaster has impacted all of us, and in order to rebuild, we must come together as a community.”
Nevertheless, many locals are already experiencing stress from having to leave their houses despite these attempts. Due to the overwhelming number of emergency shelters, some families are being forced to stay in makeshift housing far from their villages. Vermonters are clearly suffering on an emotional and psychological level, as many are faced with the difficult task of starting over in their lives.
A Group of People Uniting
Narratives of resiliency and optimism are emerging amidst the destruction. Known for their strong social bonds and independent mindset, people in Vermont are banding together to help one another when faced with enormous obstacles. Volunteers from all throughout the state are helping with cleanup, giving homeless people a place to stay, and giving those in need food and materials.
According to Linda Sawyer, a resident of Montpelier who has been planning food drives for flood victims, “we may be down, but we’re not out.” “We’re going to get through this together; Vermonters look out for one another.”
To help flood victims, local organizations including the Red Cross and the Vermont Community Foundation have started fundraising drives. Many locals are making their contributions, whether they be in the form of food, cash, or volunteer labor. There is a strong sense of unity across the state despite how big of a tragedy this is.
A Prolonged Journey Ahead
One thing is certain as Vermont copes with the recent aftermath of the unprecedented floods: recovery will take time. In a period of increasingly unpredictable weather patterns, the state will require both immediate relief and long-term planning to rebuild homes, businesses, and infrastructure, as well as to safeguard against future disasters.
Residents in Vermont are currently concentrating on surviving and taking each day as it comes. However, the Green Mountain State will surely emerge from the seas stronger than before if they have a sense of community that is as strong as theirs.
